Ireland’s unemployment rate has remained at 9.7 percent for the third month in a row - the number of people out of work increased by 300 during July, according to new figures published by the CSO.

These are the first months in-which unemployment rates have failed to drop since the beginning of Ireland's economic recovery.

CSO

The number of people unemployed, adjusted for seasonal factors rose to 208,900 during the month - this represented a year-on-year decrease of 32,400.

However the youth unemployment rate remains high - it rose from 19.9 percent to 20.2 percent during the month.

The National Youth Council of Ireland (NYCI) has expressed its concern about the country's consistently high level of youth unemployment.

NYCI Deputy Director James Doorley explained: “Youth unemployment is still high, at twice the rate it was before 2008. Moreover, the latest figures at the end of June show that almost 19,000 young people were on the live register for one year or more.”

In its pre-budget submission the group has recommended that the government should restore a €188 per-week allowance for young people who are in education, training and work experience programmes.

It describes the Government's decision to cut welfare payments for people under the age of 26 as "short sighted."

Mr Doorley continues: "As the economy recovers and more jobs become available it is vital that this cohort of young people are given the chance and supports to enable them to get on to the employment ladder."