There has been a 2.6% decrease in the numbers signing on the Live Register in May compared to the same time last year.

That is a drop of more than 11,000 and leaves the rate of unemployment unchanged at 13.7%.

The number of men claiming unemployment assistance fell by 4% over the year with a slight increase in the numbers of women signing on.

Seasonally adjusted figures show there were 426,100 people signing on last month.

Other features include:

• On a seasonally adjusted basis the Live Register showed a monthly decrease of 700 males in May 2013, while females saw no change over the same period
• The number of male claimants decreased by 11,842 (-4.2%) to 266,921 over the year while female claimants showed little change increasing slightly by 672 to 154,816

While just under 192,000 people on the Live Register were described as long-term unemployed last month. The number of male long-term claimants dropped by 1,176 in the year to May, while females increased by 4,444. This gives an overall annual increase of 3,268.

The union Unite says the situation can only be reversed by "smart investment". Commenting on the figures, Regional Secretary Jimmy Kelly said "The small year-on-year drop in the Live Register is more than made up by emigration and the numbers of people on labour activation schemes".

"When these are taken into account, it's apparent that there has been no real shift in the jobless rate. In fact, it is particularly worrying that last month saw a substantial increase in the number of new applications for benefit and assistance. There has also been a big jump in the numbers signing on for a year or more".

"What today's figures show is that Ireland has entered a period of prolonged stagnation. The only way this can be reversed is for the government to ditch its failed austerity policies and use the forthcoming Budget to embark on a programme of smart investment in growth and jobs " he added.

Chief Economist with KBC Bank is Austin Hughes. He says it shows the economy is stabilising.