Live Register figure up 6,698

The Central Statistics Office has reported a sharp rise in the number of people claiming unemployment benefits in the six months between October and April.

The CSO says just under 156,000 people were on the Live Register in April, an increase of 6,698 or 5.4% since October.

The number of people claiming benefits for a year or more increased by just over 1,000, while the number on the Live Register for less than a year jumped by more than 5,500.

The increase is made up mainly of men and is most pronounced in the 20-24 age group.

People aged between 25 and 34 make up the largest age group among short-term claimants, while the largest percentage of long-term claimants is in the 45-54 age group.