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Employment hits highest level since 2008 - CSO
Statisticians from the CSO speak at a press conference today to announce the figures
Figures released by the Central Statistics Office (CSO) today show that there are over 2 million people in jobs in Ireland. Employment now stands at its highest level since 2008.
Results of the Quarterly National Household Survey (QNHS) for the second quarter of the year showed a 2.9% rise in employment when compared with the same period last year. This marks the 15th successive quarter showing an annual increase in employment.
The long-term unemployment rate has decreased from 5.5% last year to 4.4% over the year to Q2 2016.
The CSO also released population and migration estimates, showing the year April 2016 saw net inward migration of 3,100. This compares with net outward migration of 11,600 in the previous year.
Finance Minister Michael Noonan welcomed the figures:
The data released today show that the numbers at work continue to grow with the number of people in employment now exceeding 2 million for the first time since the end of 2008. We have now seen 15 consecutive quarters of employment growth. This growth remains broad-based, with 12 of the 14 sectors reported by the CSO showing annual growth. Creating jobs for our people means they can contribute to a better life for themselves and a fairer society for all of our people.
Positive trends in the Irish economy are clearly seen in the 56,000 jobs added during the 12 month period which ended in June 2016. The Programme for a Partnership Government reaffirmed the Action Plan for Jobs as the best method to consult with all stakeholders and progress the best ideas on job creation across Government. Our ambition is to help create 200,000 new jobs by 2020, including 135,000 outside of Dublin. Supporting a balanced recovery across all regions and all sectors will help workers and their families feel the benefits of recovery.
I also welcome today’s Population and Migration Estimates from the CSO which indicate that net inward migration over the year to April 2016 has turned positive for the first time since 2009.