Employment jumps by 102,000 in year but signs rate hikes starting to bite

Industry and construction only two of 13 sectors to contract significantly, the official employment figures show

The Labour Force Survey showed employment levels were running at record levels of 2.65m people at the end of September.

The number of people in employment jumped by almost 102,000 in the year, defying the worst fears for the economy, official figures suggest, but the benign conditions may not last as interest rate hikes bite on businesses and households. 

The Labour Force Survey from the Central Statistics Office showed employment levels were running at record levels of 2.65m people at the end of September. Employment rose in all eight regions of the State and only two of the 13 sectors that cover all private and public employment in the economy shed significant numbers of workers in the year, the figures show.