IRLANDA empieza a salir del pozo:

Employment figures published yesterday give the strongest indication in half a decade that economic recovery has begun. For the first time since the recession started in 2008, the numbers at work have risen over a six month period. In the final quarter of the year, 1.85 million people were in jobs, a rise of 6,500 on three months earlier according to seasonally adjusted figures from the Central Statistics Office.

Revisions to the third quarter data show that employment growth was also recorded in that period. Those revisions put the net increase in employment in the third quarter at 2,200.

It is the first time since employment began to contract in 2008 that jobs growth has been recorded in two consecutive quarters. Sectorally, retail, information technology, scientific activities, construction, finance and real estate all recorded at least two consecutive quarters of employment growth.