Unemployment edges higher to 4.2% as growth cools but still points to full employment

Unemployment of around 4% remains at historically low levels and still suggests the economy is operating at full employment.  Picture: Leah Farrell

Irish unemployment may have reached its floor as hikes in interest rates by the European Central Bank weigh on economic growth, official figures suggest.

The figures from the CSO show unemployment edged slightly higher to 4.2% in September, following a period when the Irish economy grew rapidly and created thousands of new jobs. The unemployment rate means there were 115,700 people seeking jobs last month, up from 113,000 in August.