Some 100,000 people are working part-time because they cannot find full-time work, according to the latest Employment Monitor bulletin from Social Justice Ireland (SJI). It says Ireland’s underemployment rate is stubbornly high and currently stands at 15.3%.

The report, which was published last week, says job quality is just as important as the number of jobs available. The prevalence of precarious and low-paid work is a major blight on our society, though it’s hidden by the generally positive headlines on the falling unemployment rate.

“A change of narrative is required. Improving headline employment figures are important, but the drive for stronger job creation should not come at the cost of diminishing job quality. As employment numbers continue to improve, issues relating to the quality of employment and adequacy of income must figure more prominently in the policy discussion,” it says.

It notes that Ireland’s unemployment rate has fallen to 7.2%.