The number of people out of work is more than 250,000 for the first time in over a decade.
The latest unemployment figures from the Central Statistics Office show that the pace of deterioration in the labour market has worsened after the highest ever monthly increase in the numbers signing on the dole.
The Live Register shows a seasonally adjusted increase of 15,800 during October.
The total number of people signing on for unemployment payments or social welfare credits has now reached 260,300, the highest level since March 1997.
This brings the increase in unemployment over the past 12 months to 94,600, the highest annual increase ever recorded.
Men accounted for 72% of this increase.
According to the CSO, Ireland's unemployment rate now stands at 6.7% of the labour force, up from 4.6% this time last year, and more double the rate recorded in 2001.
Today's numbers show that the numbers on the dole rose by an average of 2,347 per week during the month of October and by an average 1,800 per week since this time last year.
Taoiseach Brian Cowen said today that the economy has to retain its competitiveness and that every economy was losing jobs at the moment.
However, Labour leader Eamon Gilmore accused the Government of abandoning people who are losing the jobs. He said the only action taken in the Budget that impacts on unemployed was to make it more difficult to qualify for jobseekers benefit and to restrict the period for which it is paid.
