THERE WERE 700 fewer people on the Live Register in May, bringing the total number to 426,100.

Unadjusted figures from the Central Statistics Office show there were 421,737 people signing on the Live Register in May, which represents an annual decrease of 11,170, -2.6 per cent.

The standardised unemployment rate (SUR) in May was 13.7 per cent, unchanged from April 2013.

On a seasonally adjusted basis, the figures showed a monthly decrease of 700 men last month, while there was no change in the number of women signing on.

The number of male claimants fell by 11,842, -4.2 per cent to 266,921 over the year while female claimants showed little change increasing slightly by 672 to 154,816.

Emigration

ISME Chief Executive, Mark Fielding, believes the numbers are not a true reflection of the economy as so many people have emigrated:

The slight reduction in the headline unemployment figures masks the true level of unemployment, which is under-reported through increased emigration, increased participation on state initiatives and a significant rise in individuals remaining in education.

Seán Murphy, Chambers Ireland deputy chief executive agreed with Fielding and said the numbers were “skewed”  and “more must be done to support consumption and the domestic economy”.

Unite Regional Secretary Jimmy Kelly said the latest Live Register figures show “Ireland has entered a period of prolonged stagnation” with unemployment continuing to hover close to 14 per cent.

Read: 100 fewer people on the Live Register last month>
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