Record jobless levels in Tullamore

Numbers signing on in Tullamore last month were at their highest since the recession began. Figures released by the Central Statistics Office last week showed that some 4,296 people were on the live register in Tullamore during January, It represents a massive 11% increase on the same month last year and is the highest number on the register in the town in modern times. The previous peak levels were in August last, when 4,247 people signed on in Tullamore. The situation in Tullamore is in stark contrast to the national trend, as only 1.3% more people signed on across the State in January 2011, compared to January 2010. Across the county, some 9,228 people signed on during January. That's another significant increase of 9.6% on the situation in January of last year. However, it is still below the record numbers recorded in August last, across Offaly, of 9,284. In Birr, numbers signing on of 2,411 were down on the previous month, December, but still ahead of January 2010. The 2,521 people who signed on in Edenderry during January, was also up on the same month last year.