Ireland’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate stood at 6.8% in the first quarter of 2017, down from 7.1% in the Q4 2016, and the 19th straight quarter where unemployment has declined, according to figures from the Central Statistics Office.

The seasonally adjusted number of persons unemployed was 148,800 which has not been lower since the second quarter of 2008 when it stood at 127,200.

The Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation Mary Mitchell O’Connor today welcomed the latest Quarterly National Household Survey figures from the Central Statistics Office. The figures also showed that employment continued to increase with 69,600 more people employed at the end of Q1 2017.

The figures show that there are now 2,063,900 people at work in Ireland. 

Employment grew in 11 out of 14 economic sectors with the largest annual increases recorded in the industry sector (increase of 15,300 jobs), construction (increase of 10,900 jobs), and accommodation and food services (increase of 9,900 jobs)

“These figures are very positive and show that we are heading in the right direction towards full employment,” O’Connor said. “The figures show that businesses right across the country are employing and that government policies are working.  It is very important for me to see the growth in employment is broad based, both sectorally and regionally. This is a key priority for me as every job that is created is transforming people’s lives.”