FÁS: Jobless rate to peak at 13.5%

FÁS is forecasting the rate of unemployment will peak at 13.5% this year.

The state training agency predicts the rate will fall to 12.6% in 2011.

In its latest quarterly economic outlook, FÁS also estimates 87,000 jobs will be lost this year.

FÁS economist Brian McCormick said that a pick-up in consumer spending would be required for the figures to materialise.