The unemployment rate barely moved, rising from 7.3 per cent in 2009 to 7.5 per cent in 2010, in sharp contrast with rising joblessness in many advanced economies. We expect a growth rate of 4.2 per cent in 2011. This would depend on recovery in our main trading partners but could be faster if we succeed in reducing our export-dependence on slow-growing traditional partners.
3.Credit Union Sector Credit unions play an important role in Irish society and in the financial system. The role and ethos of the sector reflect the primary objectives and purpose of credit unions - to promote thrift among their members by the accumulation of their savings and the creation of sources of credit for members' mutual benefit at fair and reasonable interest rates.