Employers' body IBEC and the Irish National Organisation of the Unemployed have expressed concern at the record rise in the Live Register revealed today.
Figures from the Central Statistics Office show the number of people signing on the dole increased by almost 48,000 in the past 12 months - the largest annual increase in unemployment ever recorded
The total number of people on the dole now stands at over 200,000 for the first time in more than nine years.
Both IBEC and the INOU say it is clear that the decline in employment has spread beyond the construction sector.
The CSO statement records the number of people signing on at dole offices for job seekers payments and other unemployment and social welfare credits.
It shows the number of people signing on the dole rose 47,746 in the 12 months to the end of May.
When the figures are adjusted to take account of seasonal employment patterns the number of people signing on for unemployment payments and social welfare credits now stands at 207,300. This is the highest level since January 1999.
The figures also show that the numbers on the dole went up by 7,600 during May alone. This was broadly in line with the average monthly rise in unemployment so far this year which was 7,000.
Today's figures mean that the number of people signing on the dole has gone up by almost a third in just one year.
The Live Register total now represents an unemployment rate of 5.4% of the labour force.
