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Unemployment drops back in June

The Central Statistics Office (CSO) say the unemployment rate fell last month. The seasonally adj...
Newstalk
Newstalk

14.36 4 Jul 2017


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Unemployment drops back in Jun...

Unemployment drops back in June

Newstalk
Newstalk

14.36 4 Jul 2017


Share this article


The Central Statistics Office (CSO) say the unemployment rate fell last month.

The seasonally adjusted rate for June 2017 was 6.3%, down from 6.4% in May.

This was down from 8.3% in June of last year.

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The number of persons unemployed was 139,400 in June, down from 140,300 when compared to the May figure.

In June, the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 7.1% for men and 5.4% for women.

The youth unemployment rate - those aged 15-24 years - was 11.9%, an increase from 11.8% in May.

Mariano Mamertino, economist at job site Indeed, said: "Ireland remains on a clear trajectory for unemployment to fall below 6% in the coming months, which bodes well in terms of the likelihood of increased consumer spending and retails sales as more people take home a weekly pay cheque.

"Whilst the unemployment rate in Ireland remains higher than EU countries like Germany, the Netherlands or Austria, OECD data released last week shows that Ireland is doing a better job at integrating immigrants into the labour force."

"On June 29th the OECD reported that the unemployment rate for foreign born people in Ireland stood at 7.7% in Q4 2016, only one percentage point higher than for people born in Ireland.

"The gap was much bigger in countries like Germany, Austria and the Netherlands (4.9% Vs 9.6%), that had lower levels of joblessness overall.

"Ireland’s labour market has an above average ability to integrate immigrants successfully, and this is something that stands out as a testament to its dynamism.

"Ireland’s openness to labour immigration remains a positive trend that will help employers to continue to access a larger pool of talent."

Employment Minister Regina Doherty has welcomed the figures.

Minister Doherty said: "The figures published today are concrete evidence that Ireland is a strengthening economy where employment and self-employment are continuing to grow.

"As minister with responsibility for employment and social protection, I will be working hard to ensure that the department continues to provide strong supports through its Intreo services to enable jobseekers find work and to assist employers find employees to suit their vacancies."


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