CSO figures released yesterday have revealed that unemployment numbers have dropped this month as Phase Three saw more people return to work.
They reported that the Covid-19 inflicted unemployment rate fell to 22.5% in June, from 26.1% in May.
These figures are estimations based off of the Live Register and Covid-19 related claims.
Economist at job-searching site Indeed, Jack Kennedy, said that the number of people receiving the pandemic unemployment payment is continuously lower and has reached its lowest level in three months.
He added: "Temporary measures such as the Pandemic Unemployment Payment and Wage Subsidy Scheme have proven to be an effective stop gap.
"However, these were only ever intended as temporary measures, and with these supports slated to be phased out in the coming months the next phase of recovery will provide a real challenge.
He explained how with the new jobs recovery initiative that is due to be announced by the government next week, extra attention will need to be paid on rural and youth unemployment
These groups are the most heavily reliant on industries have been hit the hardest during the pandemic, mainly hospitality and tourism.
The figures show the huge impact of the pandemic on the 15-24 age group, with their adjusted unemployment rate at 45.4%
He said: "For the foreseeable future the labour market will remain intrinsically linked to public health, which will require a new approach to job creation that takes this into consideration.
As some of the worst hit sectors open up again this week, it may be some time before the dust settles and we see the true impact of this new way of working on our unemployment rate. Judging by the re-opening efforts in other countries, we are not in the clear yet.”
