Number in work rises for first time in four years

The number of people at work rose for the first time in four years during the last three months of 2011.

The latest Quarterly National Household Survey published by the CSO shows 1,807,800 people were in employment in December — up 10,000 on the previous quarter when seasonally adjusted and the first increase since the end of 2007.

The survey reveals a general stabilisation of both employment and unemployment levels as well as of movements within the labour force. The overall unemployment rate remained unchanged at 14.6%.