There was a sharp rise in live register figures in Clare last month.
There was a sharp rise in live register figures in Clare last month.
The latest figures from the CSO show 6,730 people were claiming some form of unemployment benefit in December, an increase of 271 on the previous month.
The numbers signing on in Clare remain at an eight year low, but live register figures have been creeping up again over the last two months.
6,730 people claimed some form of unemployment benefit in December up from 6,459 in November.
The largest increase was in the Ennis area, where 90 people joined the doles queues during a month when traditionally, a number of seasonal jobs come on stream ahead of the Christmas period.
North Clare followed closely behind with an additional 89 people signing on, while East Clare saw the lowest number of dole applicants – the figure there was 30.
West Clare has experienced a steady increase in the number of people of people seeking unemployment assistance since September, with 62 last month alone.
Kilrush Councillor Ian Lynch says there remains far too much of a reliance on the tourism industry for jobs growth.
Last month's figures are down by 1,014 on this time last year, and represent a 35% decrease since 2009.
