Long term jobless figures the highest yet

The number of people in Ireland who are 'long term unemployed' has reached 200,000 for the first time.

This is according to the latest Live Register figures, published today.

When seasonally adjusted - there was a drop of 2,300 in those signing on - to 437,300 in July - but the unemployment rate is unchanged at 14.8%.

John Stewart is with the Irish National Organisation for the Unemployed:

"Unfortunately what we don't know from today's figures is to what extent that fall of 2,300 does actually reflect the fact that people are going back to work or if it is for other reasons" he said.

"Some of those other reasons might be to do with the fact that unfortunately we know that on a weekly and monthly basis many many people are emigrating".