Brian Cowen recently told the Dáil that almost 17,000 more workers joined the register in March, bringing the new total figure to 371,000. This is further evidence that the irish economy is on a downward spiral.
The latest figures from the Central Statistics Office show that 20,000 people signed on to the Live Register in March. This brings the seasonally adjusted total to 372,800 which represents a record high.
The CSO says that in the year to March, there was an unadjusted increase of 173,279 on the Live Register – up 87.5% – which is also the biggest increase since records began in 1965. The figures also reveal that the unemployment rate rose to 11% last month from 10.4% in February. More men than women joined the Live Register last month, with 13,600 males and 6,000 females signing on.
Mr Cowen has already predicted that total number on the register could reach 450,000 by the end of the year. If the current rate continues that figure is to be reached well ahead of Mr Cowen’s predictions if things continue as is.
I note that there are quite a few online initiatives to generate ideas for solving our ecomonic problems -any comments from you would be welcome.
