Half on dole now long-term unemployed

Ireland’s long-term unemployed now account for almost half of the country’s dole queues, despite the number of new people signing on stabilising.

Figures from the Central Statistics Office show that moves to prevent yet more people falling into the unemployment poverty trap are starting to show signs of succeeding.

According to the independent body, Ireland’s live register rose by 200 people during May — a further indication of stability returning to the country’s jobs market.