Employment levels rise above 2m since 2008
According to latest figures from the Central Statistics Office. More than two million people are in employment in Ireland for the first time since since 2008.
There was annual increase of 2.9% or 56,200 in the number of people with jobs between April and June, bringing total employment in the country to 2,014,900.
This compares with a high of around 2.16 million people at work immediately prior to the onset of the financial crisis here in 2008.
On average, around 1,000 jobs per week have been added in the economy since the beginning of the year.
During the second quarter, the number of people in full-time employment rose by 44,900 (3%), while there was an increase in part-time employment of 11,400 (+2.5%).
On a seasonally adjusted basis, employment increased by 20,000 (1%) over the previous quarter.
Commenting on the figures, Minister for Finance Michael Noonan said: “We have now seen 15 consecutive quarters of employment growth.
“This growth remains broad-based, with 12 of the 14 sectors reported by the CSO showing annual growth.
“Creating jobs for our people means they can contribute to a better life for themselves and a fairer society for all of our people.”
Mr Noonan added the Government’s “ambition is to help create 200,000 new jobs by 2020, including 135,000 outside of Dublin”.
