Minister Donohoe submits Stability Programme Update 2021 to EU Council & Commission
GDP is forecast to expand by 4½ per cent this year and 5 per cent next year.
Modified Domestic Demand (MDD), a more useful indicator of domestic economic conditions, is projected to grow by 2½ per cent this year and 7½ per cent next year.
The labour market has borne the brunt of the pandemic with the unemployment rate projected to average 16¼ per cent this year and 8¼ per cent next year.
The level of employment is projected to increase by around 80,000 this year and 225,000 jobs next year, but will still remain below its pre-crisis peak until 2023.