The Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Mary Mitchell O’Connor TD today (Wednesday) welcomed the Monthly Unemployment figures for April published by the Central Statistics Office, showing that the official unemployment rate has fallen from 6.4% in March to 6.2%.in April and from 8.4% in April 2016.

The statistics also show:

· On a seasonally adjusted basis 4,800 fewer people were unemployed in April compared to March　

· 47,300 fewer people were unemployed in April compared with twelve months earlier　

· Unemployment among people aged between 15-24 has fallen by 0.8% in a month　

Commenting on today’s figures Minister Mitchell O’Connor said: “The continuing fall in unemployment for April is very welcome news. Seeing the unemployment rate for April drop down to 6.2% from 6.4% last month and from 8.4% this time last year is very positive. It is important that we continue with our policies to ensure that job creation continues to grow right across the country. The CSO also released this morning data on Foreign Direct Investment in Ireland in 2015 which shows that Ireland has become one of the most globalised countries in the world. We are going in the right direction to make full employment in Ireland a reality. As we know being able to earn a livelihood is all important, allowing people to take charge of their future,to make plans and to have hope and optimism. I would like everyone to have that opportunity for self-determination and fulfilment through employment.”