19/11/2019

Employment In Ireland Continues To Grow - CSO

Employment in Ireland is continuing to grow, with the number of people in employment increasing by 2.4% in the year to the third quarter of 2019.

According to the latest Central Statistics Office (CSO) report, total employment now stands at over 2.3 million persons, its highest ever level. Unemployment continues to fall, with the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for the third quarter at 4.9 per cent.

Welcoming the figures, Minister for Finance and for Public Expenditure and Reform, Paschal Donohoe, said: "I am encouraged by today's data which show the continued strength of Ireland's labour market. The number of people in employment grew by 53,700 over the year to the third quarter of 2019, meaning that there are now 2,326,900 people at work in Ireland.

"I am particularly pleased that these figures show employment growth continuing to be spread across the regions and sectors reported by the CSO. With employment continuing to grow and the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate falling below 5 per cent in the third quarter, Ireland's labour market looks set to record another robust year. The figures are broadly in line with my Department's macroeconomic forecasts as published alongside Budget 2020 in October.

"Ireland continues to face a highly uncertain macroeconomic situation and evidence of a global economic slowdown has mounted in recent months, but it is encouraging that the labour market appears to be performing steadily despite these factors.

"We are now closer to full-employment than at any time since the onset of the crisis in 2008. At this crucial juncture, it is imperative that economic policy supports continued growth in a sustainable way, protecting the economy against external risks while managing the risk of potential overheating. The package of measures announced in Budget 2020 will ensure that, were a disorderly UK exit from the EU to materialise, appropriate support can be provided to protect against the worst economic effects. In addition to this, the Government's ongoing Future Jobs Ireland initiative will target increased labour market participation, better skills acquisition, higher capacity for innovation, and greater international attractiveness of Ireland as a place to work into 2020 and beyond."

(MH/JG)

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