The Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation Mary Mitchell O’Connor today (Tuesday) welcomed the latest Quarterly National Household Survey figures from the Central Statistics Office, showing that employment has continued to increase and unemployment is now at 6.8%. Approximately 1300 jobs a week were created in 2016 Since the Action Plan for Jobs was launched in Q1 2012 there are now 205,900 more people at work. There are now over 2 million people working in Ireland, the highest number of people at work since Q4 2008. This is the eighteenth quarter in succession where unemployment has declined on an annual basis

The figures from the CSO today also show that the numbers in employment increased in all regions during 2016. 70% of the new jobs added in 2016 were outside Dublin. The fastest growing regions in terms of employment during 2016 were the Mid-West (up 7.4%), the West (up 5.5%) and the South East (up 4.6%).

Employment grew in all 14 economic sectors during 2016 – the largest increases were recorded in construction (increase of 11,800 jobs), the industry sector (increase of 11,100 jobs), professional, scientific and technical activities (increase of 6,600 jobs)

Speaking today, Minister Mary Mitchell O’ Connor said: I’m delighted with these CSO figures which show our job growth figures increased significantly in 2016. I’m especially pleased that 70% of the 66,100 new jobs announced last year were outside Dublin, as bringing jobs to the regions has been, and will continue to be, a key focus for me. Enterprise agencies and Local Enterprise Offices across the country continue to work to bring jobs to every corner of the country.

It is also very positive to note that growth was recorded across all 14 economic sectors. This is the 18th successive quarterly report which shows a decline in unemployment, a strong endorsement that our Government’s policies are working in creating the right environment to support job creation.

These are more than statistics. These are real people’s lives being transformed. Every job created changes lives, the lives of the workers, their families, and their communities. Every job matters. I will continue to work with my Department and its agencies to support companies and entrepreneurs to nurture the environment for further job creation”.