Unemployment figures - Jobless must be reassessed

Although we are less than three years into the recession, some 18,000 people have been unemployed for over five years, according to the Department of Social Protection. The figure has doubled since 2003.

In recent years thousands of people have come to this country from all over Europe in search of employment, because there were so many jobs available.

Yet 4,448 people have been claiming unemployment assistance here for over 10 years, which was in the midst of the greatest economic boom the country has ever enjoyed.