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Sat 07 Jul 2007Jobless figures reach highest point in almost three yearsThe number of people claiming unemployment benefits has reached its highest point in almost three years, with the downturn in the housing market and declining competitiveness being blamed for the job losses.The live register, which measures the number of people claiming jobseekers' benefit and assistance, rose to 163,400 in June, an increase of 3,600 on the month before, according to the Central Statistics Office (CSO).