advertisement

Second monthly drop in Clare’s dole queues

The number of Clare residents seeking unemployment benefits has fallen for a second successive month.

New figures from the Central Statistics Office show there are now less than 10,000 people signing on in the county, the lowest level here since November.

- Advertisement -

The numbers signing on in Clare at the end of March were 190 less than at the beginning of the month, and nearly 300 lower than at the same time last year.

Nonetheless, 9,869 Clare residents continue to claim some from of unemployment benefits.

CSO figures show the largest monthly and annual falls have come in Ennis – 76 people signed off in the town in March.

While he believes that emigration remains a factor in these statistics, a former Mayor of the town Councillor Frankie Neylon feels there are some signs of positivity in the town.

Co-inciding with the beginning of the tourism season, March regularly sees a drop in the number of Clare residents signing on and that is the case this year, with monthly falls in the numbers signing on in each part of the county.

While over 1,500 people continue to sign on in areas associated with the Ennistymon welfare office, this marks a monthly and an annual fall of over 50.

In West Clare meanwhile, 25 fewer people were claiming unemployment benefits at the end of March when compared to the beginning of the month – Kilkee Councillor Pat Keane is hoping that decline in dole queue numbers continues.

However, the Fianna Fail representative has questioned whether new jobs are actually being created in the area.

In East Clare meanwhile, 29 people left the dole queues last month though over 1400 remain in receipt of state supports.

 

advertisement
advertisement
advertisement