According to the Institute of Employment and Vocational Training (IEFP), total of 54,800 fewer people were out of work than in the same month in 2018.

The IEFP said the number of job seekers was at its lowest level since September 2001, when there were 317,600 people looking for work.

Youth unemployment was 32,800, an annualised reduction of 16.1% (6,300 fewer) and 6.8% down on the previous month (- 2,400).

The number of long-term unemployed registered with the service fell to 141,500, 22.5% down on the previous year and 2.3% down compared to March.