DUBLIN (IRELAND) – Ireland’s unemployment rate, including those receiving temporary COVID-19 jobless benefit, rose to 21% last month from 20.2% in October, data showed before most of the economy reopens this week, which is expected to drive the rate back down.
The COVID-19 adjusted unemployment rate stood at 15.9% in September when all shops, gyms, galleries and restaurants were last open. Those permanently unemployed rose to 7.5% in November from 7.2% a month earlier, and have risen steadily from a 13-year low of 4.6% in April.
The number of people claiming temporary coronavirus-related jobless benefits jumped to just over 350,000 from around 200,000 during the recent six weeks of restrictions. The government expects 100,000 to 150,000 to return to work this week.