Concern at youth jobless figures

Downward unemployed figures are masking a rise in youth joblessness that should prompt Government action, says the National Youth Council of Ireland.

Central Statistics Office (CSO) data showed a fall in headline unemployment, staying below 10% in July, at a 9.7% rate that compares favourably to 11.2% a year earlier.

However, when figures are adjusted for seasonal patterns, they show 208,900 people were unemployed, up 300 since June but 32,400 fewer than in July 2014.