Ivor Callely
Question:225 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the number and monetary value of all unemployment payments over the past 12 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10367/01]
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Statistics.
The monthly average number of persons who received unemployment payments during 2000 was 135,000, of whom some 51,000 received unemployment benefit and 84,000 unemployment assistance.
Total expenditure on unemployment payments for 2000 was approximately £578 million of which £209 million was in respect of unemployment benefit and £369 million of unemployment assistance.
Since June 1997, the live register has dropped by 118,978, 46%, from 254,863 to the current figure of 135,885. Ongoing control measures being applied by my Department, the range of employment supports available, and the buoyant economy are responsible for the downward trend in the live register figures.