Increase in Live Register

The number of people on the Live Register in Westmeath rose last month, the first increase in 2014.

According to the Central Statistic Office’s latest figures, the number of people signing on in the county last month was 9,729, an increase of 69 from the end of April.

In Mullingar, there were 4,634 (+11) on the Live Register on May 31, while the Athlone branch office recorded the biggest increase (3,980, +68). Castlepollard social welfare office was the only one to record a decrease (1,115, -10).

The biggest increase occured amongst under 25s, the age group most affected by unemployment and emigartion during the recession. According to the CSO, the number of young Westmeath people on the Liver Register rose by 55 to 1588.

Nationally, the number of people on Liver Register at the end of May, when seasonally adjusted, was 391,800, which is a monthly decrease of 1,600. In unadjusted terms there were 388,764 signing on, this represents an annual decrease of 32,973 (-7.8%).