70% of dole claimants on benefit less than a year

Three quarters of all dole claimants have been claiming benefit for less than a year, according to figures released today by the CSO.

The numbers also show a 55% rise in those on the dole for a year or more, with 87,400 persons now in this category.

The figures also suggest that the strongest rises in those claiming benefit in recent months are amongst women in their early 20s and men in their early 60s.