Unemployment has fallen below 9% for the first time since 2008 — but employers’ body Ibec has expressed concern at the disparity in the pace of employment growth between Dublin and the rest of the country.

Fears of a fresh bubble in the housing market in Dublin have increased with new figures that show property prices there rose 12.3% over the past 12 months.

TAXPAYERS will save up to €1.5 billion a year in interest payments on the bailout funds from the EU — although the savings will not mean an easier budget this year.

The number of houses completed in Ireland in 2009 fell by 48% to 26,820, according to new data published by Goodbody Economics.