Dole claimants fall to lowest level in five years

The number of dole claimants has fallen to 392,700, the lowest it has been for five years, according to the latest live register figures.

The 3,400 reduction in the seasonally-adjusted total last month was the 22nd fall in a row and marked the third month it was below 400,000.

Alan McQuaid, economist with Merrion Stockbrokers, said: “While emigration has been a contributory factor in bringing down the numbers on the live register over the past two years or so, there is clear evidence there is more to it than just that, with employment conditions in the majority of sectors in the economy generally improving in the past few months.”