The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in February fell by 0.1% to 8.8%, latest figures from the CSO show. Year-on-year the unemployment rate has dropped by 1.2% to its current rate, which marks the lowest level since 2008. Meanwhile, the total number of unemployed has reduced by 42% from its peak in 2012. This trend matches progress in the rest of the Eurozone, which last month recorded the lowest unemployment rates since 2011.

Although declining, youth unemployment remains high (20.1%) and is in further need of targeted action.