An extra 100 people joined Clare’s dole queues last month.
New CSO figures show an increase in the unemployment indicator throughout the county, but also how young adults don’t seem to be contributing to this unwelcome spike.
There are now 6,810 people drawing the dole in Clare, an increase of 99 on the figure at the end of January and the highest number seen here since last August.
The spike was distributed around the county, with 46 extra people signing on Ennis, as well as 22 in West Clare, 19 in North Clare and 12 in the East of the county.
However, the total number signing on is still over 10% less than at the same point in 2016.
But while the total number of people on Clare’s live register jumped last month, only a very small number of those joining the dole queues are under 25.
In fact, while dole queues are up by nearly 550 since September, the increase in young adults signing on has only been 42.
This suggests that young people here are more successful in getting work, or that they are still going to other parts of the country, or the world, in the search for employment.
