Unemployment rate falls to lowest level in more than 3 years

The unemployment rate is now at a three-and-a-half-year low, but experts have warned this could be attributed to high emigration rates and not an increase in jobs.

The latest review of the labour market from the CSO showed a 3,200 drop in the number of people on the dole, as 13.5% of the nation’s workforce signed on to the Live Register in July — down from 13.6% the previous month.

This was the lowest rate of unemployment recorded since Mar 2010. It hit its highest point of 15.1% in Feb 2012.