New figures from the Central Statistics Office today show that the rate of unemployment in January rose to 4.9% - the highest since December 1999.
The CSO says the seasonally adjusted Live Register total increased from 171,600 in December to 179,400 in January - an increase of 7,800. This compared with an increase of 2,200 in December. The unemployment rate had stood at 4.7% in December.
The monthly increase on the Live Register was made up 6,400 men and 1,400 women - reflecting the continuing slowdown in the construction sector here.
