Unemployment is at the same level now as it was in 1987, the Irish National Organisation of the Unemployed has said (INOU).

It also maintained that fear is a significant factor preventing many unemployed people from taking up a job. "Despite the commentary that there are loads of jobs, people who have been rejected for 10 years and told they are never going to work again are not going to come forward and apply for them," said general secretary, Mr Mike Allen.