Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 174: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the extent to which unemployment levels have fluctuated in each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8222/07]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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The live register in January 2007 was 158,752. This is the lowest January figure in the past 5 years. The live register in each of the previous four months has also been at its lowest level for the month in question for the last five years.

Each year unemployment levels tend to be highest in July/August and lowest in October/November. This is due primarily to seasonal factors such as the lay off of temporary workers in the education sector in the summer months.

The lowest unemployment level in the past 5 years was in October 2006 when the live register was 148,506. The highest level over the past 5 years was in August 2003 when the live register was 185,953.

In 2002 the live register was lowest in May — 154,944 and highest in August — 173,563.

In 2003 the live register was lowest in November — 164,541 and highest in August — 185,953.

In 2004 the live register was lowest in November — 151,966 and highest in July — 177,501.

In 2005 the live register was lowest in October — 149,644 and highest in August 169,393.

In 2006 the live register was lowest in October — 148,506 and highest in August 169,614.

This shows that unemployment levels remain low at present.