06/02/2009

Meath Sees Largest Jump In Benefit Claims

After the Ireland-wide growth of the live-register figures, it has been revealed that Co Meath has seen the largest proportional increase per county.

The central statistics agency says the number of people signing on the dole in the county was up almost 18% in January.

The high amount of job losses is being attributed to the difficulties experienced by one of the County's largest employers, the Tara mines. The mines have seen a severe drop in demand for its ore as the value of zinc and lead tumble.

Waterford meanwhile had the smallest proportional increase at 9.2%, and overall the number signing on across the country increased by around 12.5% last month.

It emerged at the beginning of this week that January's increase was the highest on record, as the teeth of the credit crunch begin to sink in.

The news comes on the heels of Brian Cowen's speech this morning, during which he asked the Irish people to expect a 10% fall in living standards.

(DW/BMcC)

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