Slight rise in unemployment figures
The number of people claiming unemployment benefit rose slightly in February, according to the Central Statistics Office.
The seasonally adjusted figure was up 200 to 157,600, adding to the increase of 400 in January.
The current unemployment rate is 4.5%
The numbers were revealed as new hopes were raised that 300 jobs at the Jacobs Fruitfield factory at Tallaght, Dublin, could still be saved.
Staff at the factory were yesterday told the biscuit factory would close within weeks unless a survival plan they rejected last weekend was implemented.
Minister of State, Conor Lenihan TD, who represents Tallaght, today met with the Chief Executive of Jacobs Fruitflield, Michael Carey.
The meeting took place in advance of the lunchtime ballot by workers on the proposed closure of the plant by the board of the company.
Minister Lenihan’s meeting followed discussions with Brendan Carr, the SIPTU Branch Secretary who negotiated on behalf of workers at the biscuit plant.
The minister has sent a letter of assurance to SIPTU and is hopeful the jobs are now secure.
February’s Live Register figures estimate the number of casual and part-time workers was 8,075 males and 13,219 females.
