Unemployment levels are likely to increase, Opposition parties are claiming after figures released today show over 6,000 people joined the dole queue last month.
The seasonally adjusted figure compared to 12 months ago is down slightly but to 4.7 per cent, according to the latest live register figures from the Central Statistics Office.
But 6,063 people signed on for unemployment benefits bringing total the unemployed to 170,604. The seasonally adjusted figure shows a fall from 170,400 in November to 169,700 - down 700.
Fine Gael enterprise, trade and employment spokesman, Mr Phil Hogan, blamed Government policy for making the economy less competitive because of increasing business costs.
"There is no better proof that Government stealth taxes are having a direct impact on the economy and forcing people out of work," Mr Hogan said.
The cost-base for business must be reduced to prevent the situation deteriorating further with increased competition from low-cost economies in Eastern European and the Far East.
Labour Party Finance spokesperson, Ms Joan Burton, said there is "evidence of a serious job situation likely to deteriorate further".
She said the Government must take a more focused approach to job creation and assist redundant workers through retraining and support programmes.
The figures come on the same day as four ministers announced that job creation would be a major focus for Ireland's EU presidency.