The latest Labour Force Survey shows the employment rate of 74.7pc is very slightly down, but an extra 25,900 people are out of work since this time last year.

The unemployment rate for those aged 15 to 24 years old stood at 14.1pc in the last quarter, up from 11.5pc in the same quarter last year. The total number of unemployed people in this age group was 54,800, up 9,400.

There is widespread anecdotal evidence that companies have stopped or reduced their hiring of young graduates, because so much of the basic work they traditionally do is now automated.

Dermot O’Leary, chief economist at Goodbody, said the overall rise in the unemployment rate is being driven by increases in both the 20-24 age cohort, and the 35-44 one. “In relation to the former, there has been some international evi

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