THE  true unemployment rate could be close to 20%, says Congress Economic Advisor Paul Sweeney.

He says that the official figures "significantly underestimate the 'true' level of unemployment and thus the scale of the social and economic devastation in communities across the country."

"When you add in the tens of thousands who have been forced to emigrate, the tens of ... Free article

THE Irish Congress of Trade Unions has warned the Government it will "vigorously oppose" its new work-for-dole scheme if it is not voluntary.

http://www.independent.ie/national-news/ictu-warns-it-will-fight-work-for-dole-scheme-2319445.html

UNEMPLOYMENT in the 26 Counties hits new high as 455,000 sign on.

Sinn Féin warns the Fianna Fáil/Green Party Government to shift its focus to job creation.

http://bit.ly/dtQPBY

TWO weeks left for job-seekers to sign up for FREE business or computing course at National College of Ireland worth up to €5,750

http://short.ie/q92w75

THE SHOCK NEWS about the transfer of acute surgical services from Our Lady's Hospital in Navan to Drogheda was broken by local Sinn Féin Councillor Joe Reilly, a member of the Dublin North East Regional Health Forum. The HSE was trying to keep the move under wraps.

The Sinn Féin councillor said the moving of surgical services from to an already- overcrowded Drogheda hospital was... Free article

DOMESTIC electricity charges will rise by almost 5 per cent next month, it has been confirmed.

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2010/0901/breaking45.html

NEW figures show that the number of mortgage accounts in arrears for more than 90 days has risen by more than 12 per cent since the end of March.
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2010/0901/breaking33.html

GOVERNMENT must tell the ESB to stop disconnecting customers making efforts to pay bills, Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD said at a Dáil protest by Sinn Féin members today as the Oireachtas Economic Regulatory Affairs committee met with the Commission for Energy Regulation over disconnections and price rises.

“The ESB is a highly profitable and popular company which has provided a good... Free article

AS CHILDREN across the state returned to school today, Sinn Féin spokesperson for Social Protection Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD set out a number of key demands to off set the costs of back to school time for parents.

“Parents are finding it harder and harder to budget for back to school time. With bills of up to €1,000 for a secondary school student and up to €500 for a primary school... Free article

You can view the An Phoblacht Archives from 1997-2010 by clicking here.

You can see the archives from 2008-2012 below.