Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

The figure is expected to be 13.4%, up from the May figure of 13.2%. Due to seasonal factors, the live register rises every June without exception. The increase this year is considerably less than the increase in June last year of more than 21,000. Based on seasonally adjusted figures from the Department of Social Protection, the increase in June is expected to be approximately 5,800. The overall figures include more than 63,000 people who work part time and more than 23,000 people who sign on to claim credits. Participation in the back to education allowance scheme has doubled this year and more than 5,600 of the inflow in the first three weeks of June are from this scheme. The figure to be announced by the Central Statistics Office is 452,882.

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