February 16, 2011
By Staff Reporter
By Andrew Bushe
DUBLIN – For the fourth consecutive month, the number of jobless in Ireland fell in May. There are now 23,800 fewer people on the dole than at the beginning of the year as the country’s economic boom continues.
During May, the number signing on for the dole was 223,941 – the first time since November 1990 that the figure was below 225,000, according to the Central Statistics Office.
The government says its target of cutting unemployment to 7 percent by 2000 and 5 percent within four or five years is achievable.
The figures were boosted by the seasonal effect of people taking up early summer jobs in tourism, agriculture and other areas.
The live register includes people signing on for social welfare credits, and those on part-time work.
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The recent quarterly household survey showed that about only 136,000 of those on the dole were looking for full-time jobs.