Minister Donohoe welcomes CSO figures pointing to strong employment growth

16th January, 2018

  • Employment in the third quarter of 2017 increased by 48,100 (2.2%) relative to the same quarter the previous year.
  • Full-time employment increased by 113,900 (6.9%) over the same period – a very positive development.
  • The level of employment is now at its highest since 2008. Employment growth has been recorded in the last 21 consecutive quarters.
  • The increase in employment remains broad based – with annual gains across most sectors and regions recorded by the CSO.
  • The rate of unemployment in December was 6.2%.

Today’s (Tuesday) Labour Force Survey (LFS) data published by the CSO shows continued employment growth in the third quarter of 2017.

Welcoming the figures, Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe T.D. said: ‘Today’s release shows that the numbers at work continue to grow, with 48,100 additional jobs growth over the year to the third quarter of 2017’.

“We have now seen 21 consecutive quarters of employment growth, resulting in employment at its highest level since 2008. Crucially, this growth remains broad-based with annual gains recorded in most sectors and regions.

“In parallel, unemployment continues to fall with the unemployment rate reaching 6.2% in December. Encouragingly, we are also seeing declines in long-term unemployment and the youth unemployment rate.

“The Government is committed to ensuring these positive trends are sustained and will continue to implement polices to provide the conditions for the continued strengthening of the labour market. Recent policies such as progressive reductions in the labour tax burden, and affordable childcare, designed to make work pay, are contributing to these positive trends.”

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