The number of people signing on the Live Register is at its lowest level since February 2008.
The Central Statistics Office figures for May show a drop of 3,500 people receiving payments.
In total 190,900 people are claiming benefits.
The monthly decrease consists of 1,700 males and 2,000 females decreased by 2,000.
However, the number of long-term claimants on the Live register went up last month to 76, 238. This compares to April’s figure which was 74,940.
The Live Register in Kerry has returned to pre-recession levels.
That’s according to data for the May from the Central Statistics.
Last month, 6,505 people signed on Kerry’s Live register; that’s a drop of 15% in a year and sees the register return to levels not seen since 2007.
The Live Register has been continuously falling in Kerry since the start of the year and now that the tourism season is getting underway there’s been a drop of almost 9% compared to April; meaning 623 fewer people are signing on.
Killarney records the biggest monthly drop of 210 to 877, followed by Dingle with a decrease of 96 to 332 and a fall of 73 brings Killorglin’s total of 442.
Tralee is down to 3,227, Caherciveen drops to 63 to 225, there’s 60 fewer in Kenmare to 184 and Listowel falls 51 to 1,218.
Source: Radio Kerry News / Breaking News