The number of people on the Live Register fell to its lowest level since 2008 in July, according to latest figures from the Central Statistics Office.
The Live Register fell by 3,000 (1.2%) between June and July to 256,800, the lowest total since October 2008.
The number of long-term claimants in July was 113,928, which is 19.7% lower than at the same time last year.
The number of males on the register dropped by 1,900 (1.3%) during the month, while there was a drop of 1,100 (1%) for females.
In the year to July, the level of male claimants is 16% lower at 151,513, and the number of females has reduced by 11.3% to 122,872.
There were 55,247 casual and part-time workers on the Live Register last month, representing just over a fifth (20.1%) of total claimants.
The number of people aged under 25 on the Live Register decreased by 7,606 (19.1%) in the first seven months of 2017.
Annual drops in claimants under 25s have occurred in all months since July 2010, with the percentage of this category on the Live Register standing at 11.7% in July.
However, The National Youth Council of Ireland - which represents organisations working with over 380,000 young people - has expressed concern at the third monthly increase in a row in the number of young job seekers under 25.
NYCI Deputy Director James Doorley said: "We are disappointed at the increase in young people signing on, and that today's figures represent the third month in a row when the numbers have increased.
"This may – in part – be explained by seasonal trends. Of even greater concern is the high number of long-term unemployed young people.
"The overall decrease in youth unemployment since 2012 has been welcome; however, we must not lose sight of the underlying problem of long term youth unemployment.
"At 11,257, a substantial cohort of young people has been unemployed for 12 months or more."
