Unemployment figures on the rise again

Unemployment figures are on the rise again after more than 1,000 extra people a week signed on in December.

Just when we thought we’d turned a corner the total number joining the live register rose by 5,200 last month.

Numbers had been on a downward spiral for the three months prior to December but now the total number signing on is at 437,079 – that’s 13,000 more than the previous year.

The Central Statistics Office figures show that men outnumber women 10 to one signing on in December.

With a number of companies in Ireland confirming job losses this week it looks as though unemployment will remain high in 2011.

The Irish Small and Medium Enterprises Association confirmed this to the Irish Independent.

"The indications are that 2011 will continue to see unemployment remaining high, with the first quarter being particularly difficult as many businesses attempt to deal with the effects of harsh trading conditions over the Christmas period," said its chief executive Mark Fielding.