20,000 jobs may go, report claims

UNEMPLOYMENT will rise again with 20,000 jobs set to go next year, a new report predicts.

The study by the independent think tank, ESRI, and separate findings by the Central Bank bare out budget day warnings by Finance Minister, Charlie McCreevy, that 2003 will be tough year.

Both studies indicate sluggish economic growth, rising prices, and growing dole queues. The ESRI report says unemployment will get worse before it gets better. With the total jobless toll rising to 184,000 people. In 2001, the jobless figure was 142,000 people or some 4% of the workforce.