Another gloomy prediction for Ireland's economy

Dublin- Growth in the economy is set to hit a twenty year low. That's according to the latest quarterly report from the Government's think-tank, the ESRI. Employment growth will be zero this year, while those without jobs will be 6 per cent by the end of the year.
The downturn in house-building is seen as the main reason for the downturn - with GNP growth expected to be just 1 point 6 per cent. On the upside, the report also finds that employment and GNP growth should pick up in 2009.