Business told to hire

ARNOTTS, The Westbury Hotel and Clerys (inset) were among the big business being urged to hire new recruits from the live register.

Tanaiste Joan Burton urged more than 100 firms from around the capital on the grants and supports available - up to €10,000 - if an employee is taken off a dole queue.

The minister said thousands of skilled and educated men and women are out of work and ready to be matched with potential employers. "Every time we get 10,000 people to work and off the live register the saving is about €95m," she added.