Jobless rate steadies at 7.8%, but outlook uncertain

The number of people unemployed in Ireland fell to its lowest level — 169,100 — in nearly eight years last month but not by enough to change the unemployment rate which remained at 7.8%.

The latest CSO data covered the last month before prior to the UK voting to exit the EU and commentators yesterday suggested that the vote will result in an ongoing slowdown in unemployment reduction here.

“The outlook is less certain, given the confidence shock from the Brexit referendum,” said David McNamara of Davy Stockbrokers.