For the first time since January 2009 Ireland’s unemployment rate has fallen below 10%.
The Central Statistics Office (CSO) released figures on Thursday that revealed that the unemployment rate has now dropped to 9.9%. This means that there are now 1.9 million people in Ireland with some form of employment and 212,000 who are considered unemployed. This marks a drop of 45,300 from the number of people classified as being out of work last year.
While the news is no doubt welcome it doesn’t come as a surprise. Last week at Sales Placement we reported that there was a record number of jobs created in Ireland over the month of April.
The coalition government was quick to take credit for the drop claiming that it’s that proof their focus on jobs is working.
Minister for Jobs Richard Bruton said “Every job created is a life back on track, a family improved, a community enhanced.”
He did however acknowledge that parts of the country have yet to reap any rewards from the upturn in the economy. “There are still many people around the country who are not yet feeling the benefits yet, and there is still a long way to go before we can say we have replaced all the jobs that were lost, before we can attract young emigrants home in large numbers, before we can have jobs available for all the unemployed,” said Minister Bruton.
Minister Bruton was speaking alongside Taoiseach Enda Kenny and Tanaiste Joan Burton from a jobs announcement in Dublin city centre. The trio were at technology firm Qualtec who announced the creation of 100 new jobs at its headquarters near St Stephen’s Green.
The Taoiseach also commented on the news, pledging that the coalition will make sure the economic recovery is sustained and vowing that there will be “no going back to the cycles of the boom and bust”.
If you’re looking to find employment make sure to submit your CV and take a look at our Jobs Board. Alternatively if you’re an employer looking to recruit you’re more than welcome to register the position with us.