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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 5 Nov 2002

Vol. 556 No. 3

Written Answers. - Live Register.

John Perry

Ceist:

729 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the number of persons in Counties Sligo and Leitrim on the live register for 2001 and 2002; if there was an increase for 2002; the reason for the increase; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19966/02]

The live register figures for Counties Leitrim and Sligo, as requested by the Deputy for the period January 2001 to September 2002, are set out in the following table.

County Leitrim

2001

2002

January

1,272

1,144

February

1,227

1,112

March

1,212

1,128

April

1,186

1,099

May

1,145

1,212

June

1,184

1,306

July

1,203

1,384

August

1,208

1,363

September

1,047

1,278

October

1,041

November

1,082

December

1,108

County Sligo

2001

2002

January

2,417

2,402

February

2,368

2,432

March

2,294

2,439

April

2,306

2,382

May

2,226

2,321

June

2,304

2,503

July

2,397

2,605

August

2,430

2,651

September

2,270

2,392

October

2,298

November

2,285

December

2,343

The average monthly live register for County Sligo to date this year has risen by 131 persons over 2001. The average in County Leitrim has risen by 65 persons to date this year. These figures represent, in the cases of both counties, average rises in the order of 5.6%. The average rise nationally in the same period is approximately 15%. The general economic slowdown and particularly its effect on the tourism sector would appear to be impacting on both of those counties. My Department, through its employment support services and in conjunction with other agencies, will continue to assist those persons on the live register make the transition to work, education and relevant training. The Border, midlands and western region, which includes the counties concerned, is a priority area for employment promotion by IDA Ireland, Enterprise Ireland and the respective county development boards.
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