Jobless rate still among highest

Ireland’s unemployment rate remains among the highest in the EU despite more people returning to work over the past 12 months.

Seasonally adjusted figures released last month show the Irish unemployment rate at 9.7% with 208,000 people out of work.

Although being nowhere near the crippling levels of unemployment facing countries like Greece and Spain, the Irish rate remains one of higher in the EU with 17 countries registering lower jobless rates.