The Irish National Organisation of the Unemployed has expressed concern at today's Central Stastistics Office figures which show an increase of 7,174 people on the Live Register for the May/June period.
INOU General secretary, Tony Monks said it was normal to see an increase in this period but he pointed out that "today's increase is the worst since May/June 1996."
"The seasonally adjusted fall of 1,000 people compares very badly with the last three years where the average fall in the May/June period has been 3,500 people," he said.
However, after adjusting for seasonal factors the Register decreased by 1,000 in the month. The seasonally adjusted total decreased from 141,600 in May to 140,600 in June. In the year to June 2001, the Live Register decreased by 15,888 persons.
The standardised unemployment rate in June was 3.7 per cent compared with4.3 per centin April 2000, based on the Quarterly National Household Survey.
The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment were contacted for comment on the latest figures but they will not be making a statement today.