The number of people signing on the Live Register fell across all regions, according to additional figures released today from the Central Statistics Office (CSO).
The unadjusted Live Register declined to 412,407 in October from 419,854 in September, a monthly decrease of 7,447 (-1.8 per cent). It was the first fall in unemployment benefit claimants in two-and-half years.
The figures also reveal a similar fall among Irish nationals and non-Irish nationals. In October there were 336,103 Irish nationals and 76,304 non-Irish nationals on the Live Register. This is a monthly drop of 6,008 (-1.8 per cent) in Irish nationals and a decline of 1,439 (-1.9 per cent) in non-Irish nationals.
Among non-Irish nationals the largest number signing on were nationals from the EU accession states (41,663) while the smallest number were from the EU15 states outside of Ireland and the United Kingdom (4,081).
Non-Irish nationals represented 18.5 per cent of all persons on the Register in October 2009.
In the year to October 2009 the number of Irish nationals on the Live Register increased by 129,810, while the annual increase for non-Irish nationals was 31,917.
In geographical terms, the biggest percentage fall during October came in the West region (-3.3 per cent), while the smallest percentage decrease was in the South-East and South-West regions (-0.6 per cent).
By county, the largest fall was in Galway (-6.1 per cent), and the largest increase was in Mayo (+1.2 per cent).
The number of males claiming benefits dropped in all regions for October, with the biggest largest percentage decrease in the Mid-West region, and numbers of females signing on also fell, with the biggest drop in the West region.
In the year to October 2009 the unadjusted figure for those signing on rose by 161,727 (+64.5 per cent). All regions showed annual increases with the largest percentage increase in the Mid-East region (+72.3 per cent). The Mid-West region had the smallest percentage increase (+54.5 per cent).
Commenting, economist Alan McQuaid of Bloxhams said the figures were very encouraging and suggested the jobless rate has peaked.
However, he warned the September and October data can be distorted by the reopening of schools and third-level colleges after the Summer holidays.
"Anecdotal evidence suggests that many graduates who couldn't find a job have emigrated or returned to further education, though it is hard to know the exact numbers at this stage as regards the overall level of emigration or those going back to the classroom," he said.
"That said, a fall in the jobless rate is likely to give consumers a further lift in the run-up to Christmas, notwithstanding the fiscal austerity measures likely to be announced in the December 9 Budget."
The Live Register is not designed to measure unemployment, as it includes part-time workers, seasonal and casual workers entitled to Jobseekers Benefit or Allowance.
Unemployment is measured by the Quarterly National Household Survey, and the latest figure for April to June 2009, is 259,500 persons unemployed.
