DUBLIN: Ireland's unemployment rate, including those receiving temporary COVID-19 jobless benefit, fell to 16.7pc at the end of July from 23.1pc a month earlier, reflecting the first three stages of the economy's gradual reopening, according to data issued on Wednesday.

The unemployment rate, which stood at 4.8pc before the crisis, hit a record 28.8pc in April after 600,000 people claimed emergency payments.

That fell to 274,600 this week, reflecting the reopening of restaurants, hotels and some pubs on June 29.

However, the weekly fall of just 12,300 was the smallest since early June.

Analysts at Davy Stockbrokers said the jobless rate could remain at double-digit levels in 2021.