The number of people out of work fell from 4.6 per cent to 4.4 per cent in the first quarter of the year according to the Quarterly National Household Survey published today by the Central Statistics Office (CSO).
This is the first annual decrease in the numbers unemployed since the second quarter of 2001.
In the first quarter of 2004, there were 83,600 persons unemployed, a quarterly decrease of 2,300 and an annual decrease of 1,600. When seasonal factors are taken into account there was a quarterly decrease of 1,800 in the number of persons unemployed.
However, long-term unemployment increased over the year by 3,800. The increase in long-term unemployment was evident in all age groups but concentrated primarily in the 25-44 year age category. The long-term unemployment rate rose from 1.4 per cent to 1.6 cent.
The survey showed male unemployment at 4.7 per cent while female unemployment was slightly lower at 3.9 per cent.
The Construction sector showed the largest employment growth with an increase of 13,500 in the first quarter of 2004. Strong growth was also recorded in the wholesale and retail trade, health and financial services.
For men the largest growth area was construction (+ 13,200)while for women it was health (+ 7,600).
