The Live Register has fallen to its lowest level since May 2009. The past month saw only a slight drop in the number of people signing on.

However on an annual basis there has been a drop of 7%.

Figures from the Central Statistics Office (CSO) show a drop of 3,400 in the seasonally adjusted Live Register in April, putting the total at 392,700.

It means the Irish unemployment rate is now at 11.7%, down 0.1% on the March figure.

Experts are now suggesting that the jobless rate has peaked.