The number of workers from the 10 new EU member states seeking work in Ireland has risen sharply since the May 1 enlargement, according to government statistics released on Friday.

Figures from the social and family affairs ministry indicate almost 23,000 people from the new members have sought employment in Ireland during the past three months.

The figures are based on the number of accession country citizens seeking a personal public service number (PPSN) that is necessary in Ireland to get a job or to access social welfare services.

A ministry spokeswoman said it would be the intention of the majority of those applying for a PPSN to seek work.

The number seeking a number for welfare benefits would be low as the accession country citizens have to satisfy residency requirements before they qualify under rules adopted by Ireland prior to enlargement, she said.

There were some 64,000 numbers allocated in the three months May to July by the ministry. Of these, around 23,000, or 36 percent, went to people from the mostly eastern European accession countries.

Poles were allocated the largest number of PPSNs since the May 1 enlargement -- they received nearly 11,000 numbers, a quadrupling over last year.