The number of people out of work in Ireland increases and the impact is being felt across the labour market.
Eight and a half thousand people joined the live register in July, bringing the total unemployed number to 452,5000, the biggest month-on-month increase this year. The unemployment rate has now risen to 13.7 per cent.
Despite hope that unemployment had stabilised, today's figures contain a discouraging increase.
Economist with Fás, Brian McCormack, describes the labour market as weak especially for those looking for jobs during the summer months.
Many of the people who lost jobs since the crash began have been construction workers. However, the latest data shows that the largest number of people to sign on in the last month were professionals. As the numbers out of work continue to rise, the state will have to pay out more in social welfare and will collect less in income tax.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 5 August 2010. The reporter is David Murphy.
