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Number of people in Ireland at work breaks two million mark for first time since 2008

The number of people at work has now broken through the 2 million mark for the first time since 2008.

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.

Employment in the period rose by 2.9pc, compared with 2.4pc in the previous quarter, and 3pc in the year to the end of June 2015.

The last time the employment figure was over 2 million was in the final three months of 2008.

Alan McQuaid of Merrion Stockbrokers said the labour market data was better than expected.

“There was an average increase in the numbers at work last year of 50,100, up from 32,800 in 2014 and employment prospects look very good again in 2016 due to the strong economic recovery, with another net rise of around 48,000 forecast," he said.

“As regards unemployment, we are now based on the revised CSO figures looking for an average jobless rate this year of 8.3pc as against 9.5pc in 2015.”

Finance Minister Michael Noonan said the data shows the economy continues to generate significant jobs growth.

“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,” the minister said.

“Our ambition is to help create 200,000 new jobs by 2020, including 135,000 outside of Dublin.”

Source: www.irishindependent.ie