New figures from the Central Statistics Office show that the number of people signing on rose again last month.

The seasonally adjusted Live Register figure rose by 3,300 in December to stand at 426,700 from November's total of 423,400. The figure had fallen in October for the first time since March 2007, but has now risen again in the past two months. The unemployment rate was unchanged at 12.5%.

During 2009, the number of men signing on increased by 45.4%, while the number of women rose by 47.5%.

Emigration helping stabilise jobless figures

NIB economist Ronnie O'Toole said there were increasing signs that the rapid deterioration in the labour market was at an end, pointing out that the unemployment rate was little changed from July.

He predicted that the jobless rate would stagnate before gradually falling over the course of 2010. He said this would not be because of an increase in employment, but due to fewer people actively participating in the labour market, as they opt for early retirement and further education.

Goodbody economist Deirdre Ryan also pointed to the little-changed unemployment rate. She added that in the final quarter of 2009, the Live Register rose by just 1,200, compared with a rise of almost 16,000 in Q3. The economist said a reduction in the labour force, and in particular increasing outward migration, had been the single biggest factor contributing to the stability in the unemployment rate.

RTÉ Business: Jobless figures rose again in December