Central Statistics Office figures show that the number of people signing on rose slightly last month. The seasonally adjusted Live Register figure rose by 900 to 423,400 in November, having fallen in October for the first time since March 2007.
The headline figure - which does not take seasonal factors into account - showed an increase of just over 1,000 to 413,505. The unemployment rate was unchanged from October at 12.5%.
Compared with November last year, the number of people signing on has increased by more than 146,000 people, or 54.8%. This, however, is a slowdown from the annual rise of 64.5% recorded in October.
The CSO said the monthly increase of 900 consisted of an increase of around 1,700 in the number of men on the dole, and a fall of around 900 in the number of women.
Jobless trend 'could mean savings' - economist
Goodbody economist Deirdre Ryan said the figures confirmed signs that the labour market was stabilising. She said the figures were being helped by falls in the number of non-Irish workers signing on, indicating that more of these were leaving the country.
Davy's Rossa White also said the number of non-Irish nationals based in Ireland has 'probably declined significantly'. He also said the numbers claiming benefit may have slipped due to technical factors. The economist said that, as Jobseekers Benefit (JB) runs out - in many cases after 12 months - some may not qualify for Jobseekers Allowance (JA) by failing the means test.
Ulster Bank's Lynsey Clemenger said the monthly increase of 900 in November only partially offset the 3,000 fall in October. She also said the average for the year was likely to be below the Government's April forecast, leading to annual savings of almost €900m in social welfare.
