THERE was a slight drop in unemployment last month but one in four people are still out of work. The Central Statistics Office reported today that the unemployment rate when those on the pandemic unemployment payment are included stands at 24.8pcThis is a small decrease of just 0.3pc from 25.1pc in January. Economist at jobs website Indeed, Jack Kennedy, noted that last month marked one year since the first case of Covid-19 and the upheaval that was to come. “This time last year Ireland was not far off full employment with the unemployment rate standing at 5pc,” he said. When Covid claims are not included, the main unemployment rate was unchanged from January at 5.8pc in February.

Source: Irish Independent March 03, 2021 12:16 UTC