Live Register figures increase by 5,200

The number of people signing on the Live Register is continuing to rise.

The number of people claiming social welfare payments rose by 5,200 last month, according to figures released by the Central Statistics Office today.

The official Live Register figure now stands at 152,000.

Dermot Ahern, the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs, said he believes the figures will continue to rise for the first six months of this year.