Employment levels increased by 33,800 people or 1.8% in the year to the end of the second quarter. The Central Statistics Office (CSO) says it represents the third successive quarter showing an annual rise in employment.

The numbers unemployed fell by over 22,000 or 7% reducing the unemployment rate slightly to 13.7%.

While on a seasonally adjusted basis employment increased by 9,600 in the quarter.

The CSO also says 89,000 people emigrated in the year to the end of April. That is a 2.2% rise on the same time last year.

The level of immigration into Ireland increased by 6% to 55,900, as the number of people emigrating continues to rise.

89,000 people left the country in the year to the end of April and is an increase of 1,900 people on the same period in 2012.

Jobs Minister Richard Bruton admitted to Lunchtime here on Newstalk that government has a long way to go to hit its targets.