THE NUMBER OF professionals signing on to the Live Register has risen by 27%, according to new figures released by the Central Statistics Office.
The surge in professional classes signing on constituted the sharpest rise of all occupations joining the dole queue.
See the report.
The figures present a bleak picture for professionals and the aspiring middle classes, with 31,322 more professionals signing on last month.
Increased taxation and a hike in mortgage interest rates have been blamed for Ireland’s middle class being squeezed financially.
Clerical and secretarial workers showed the next highest increase, with a 15% rise.
The total loss to public finances is thought to be about €50m, considering the strain caused by lost taxes on top of social welfare payments.
A total of 455,000 people are now signing on, with 2,500 more people joining last month.
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