Job losses running at almost 500 a week

Job losses are running at almost 500 a week, according to new figures just released by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment.

A total of 21,042 people lost their jobs up to the end of October, more than 33 per higher that in the same period last year.

The Small Firms Association (SFA) has blamed the losses on a continual erosion of the cost competitiveness of small business.