FG: Emigration at root of dole numbers dip

THE scourge of emigration was blamed yesterday for the biggest fall in the number of people on the dole in two years.

The total seeking benefits came down 24,506 in September and adjusted figures – which strip out seasonal changes such as colleges reopening – showed queues were down by 5,400.

The official Central Statistics Office (CSO) report said unemployment had fallen to 13.7% – still above 440,000.