Vol. 528 No. 2
80 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs if he will account for the increase in the number of people signing on for unemployment benefit during the month of November 2000 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29701/00]
This Government took up office in mid-1997 at a time when the live register stood at 254,863. Since then the figures have dropped consistently to the current low figure of 136,962 at end November 2000. This decrease of 117,901, a drop of 46%, is a reflection of the success of the programme implemented by this Government since taking up office.
According to the latest figures available from the Central Statistics Office, there was a decrease of 2,227 – from 139,189 to 136,962 – in the live register in November 2000. This decrease consisted of 519 unemployment benefit, 1,626 unemployment assistance, and 82 other registrants – those who sign for credited contributions only. The overall decrease in the numbers on unemployment benefit comprise an increase of 143 in the number of male claimants over 25 offset by decreases amounting to 662 in other categories.
Increases were recorded in the mid-west, north east, the south west and south east, and in the western areas, which are consistent with reported temporary layoffs in the meat industry, seasonal layoffs in agriculture and related industries, in the tourist industry, and layoffs in the fishing industry due to adverse weather conditions.
