Their figures also show a fall in emigration, with the number of people leaving the country falling from 80,900 in April 2015 to 76,200 in April 2016.
Advertisement
In total, there were an extra 56,200 jobs created in the economy in the year to the end of June, according to the Central Statistics Office.
National Household Survey for Q2 shows that, on a seasonally adjusted basis, employment increased by 20,000 (+1%) over the previous quarter. The CSO said the number of people out of work fell for the 16th quarter in a row – down 23,400 over the year to 187,800.
During the second quarter, the number in full-time employment rose by 44,900 ( up 3 per cent), while there was an increase in part-time employment of 11,400 (up 2.5 per cent).
“We have now seen 15 consecutive quarters of employment growth”. Employment has grown in 12 out of 14 economic sectors, with largest increases recorded in construction, manufacturing and accommodation and food service activities.
While there has been a drop in the number of people unemployed for a year or more, the long-term out-of-work still make up more than half the overall unemployment figure.
Finance Minister Michael Noonan welcomed the figures, saying they show that the Irish economy is continuing to generate significant jobs growth.
“Having two million people now at work will also give a boost to the State as only a strong economy, supporting people at work, can pay for the services needed to create a fair society”, the Minister said.
In a statement, business lobby group IBEC described the employment figures as “clear evidence of further strong domestic growth” but cautioned that the information was collated prior to the Brexit vote.
Advertisement
Irish employment reached a high of 2.16 million people immediately before the financial crisis hit in 2008.
