Irish annual employment rate accelerates to 3.5pc in Q4

• The jobless rate stood at 4.8pc at the end of January.
• Employment, which is measured comprehensively on a quarterly basis, rose in 13 of the 14 sectors.

Employment, which is measured comprehensively on a quarterly basis, rose in 13 of the 14 sectors, with the information and communication sector posting the largest rate of increase at 10.7pc.

The jobless rate stood at 4.8pc at the end of January.

"Despite a challenging 2019, due to Brexit uncertainty and a slowdown in international markets, I am very pleased to see today's figures," Ireland's Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe said in a statement, adding that the economy would face the further uncertainty relating to the EU's future trading relationship with Britain from a position of strength.