Slight fall in numbers signing on
October saw a decrease of 1,000 in the number of people signing on the Live Register, on a seasonally adjusted basis, official figures have shown today.
The seasonally-adjusted total is now at 434,200, according to the CSO's Quarterly National Household Survey.
The standardised unemployment rate (SUR) in October is 14.8%, unchanged from September.
In unadjusted terms, there were 420,172 people signing on the Live Register in October 2012, an annual decrease of 10,260 (-2.4%).
On a seasonally-adjusted basis, the Live Register showed a monthly decrease of 700 males in October 2012, while females decreased by 300 over the same period.
The number of male claimants decreased by 9,050 (-3.3%) to 268,545 over the year and female claimants decreased by 1,210 (-0.8%) to 151,627.
This compares with a decrease of 4,004 (-1.4%) to 277,595 for males and an increase of 4,883 (+3.3%), to 152,837 for females in the year to October 2011.
The Irish Small and Medium Enterprises association (ISME) called on the Government to introduce an employment incentive scheme to tackle what it described as the "stubbornly high" unemployment rate.
"The ‘Action Plan for Jobs’ is not working for the SME sector and it is unlikely to work, if Government imposed costs continue to increase," said ISME chief executive Mark Fielding.
"Added to that is the uncertainty generated by polar opposite proposals from Cabinet on job creation and sick pay schemes. In addition, the lack of progress on public sector cost reduction and inefficiencies under the Croke Park Agreement, must be remedied.
"Jobs will be created when the Government prioritises SMEs and job creation.
"It is essential that we kick-start the domestic economy’s recovery with financial support aimed at maintaining and creating employment, a reduction in state costs and social welfare inhibitors to work.
"Small businesses will begin recruiting again when costs reduce."
