Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Therefore, 40% of those on the live register left it in the course of 2014. That is the highest level we have seen since the recession. It is a sign of real progress in reaching out to people who would otherwise have been marginalised.

I listened to Deputy Martin Ferris talk about rising long-term unemployment. According to the CSO's figures, the number of long-term unemployed at the end of 2012 was 176,000, while today it is 123,000. It is down by 50,000, yet the Deputy wants to quote his own figures.

See this speech in context