ESRI issues optimistic assessment of Irish economy

The Government's Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) has issued an optimistic assessment of the Irish economy in its latest quarterly bulletin.

The body said it expected economic growth of 5.7% this year and a similar figure next year, with unemployment and inflation both expected to remain low.

It also said that immigrant workers were needed to protect this growth and recommended measures to ensure that people who come to Ireland seeking work get jobs that reflect their educations.