'Ireland's unemployment rate is expected to be 6% or lower by the end of the year.' (Source: Department of Finance, 2017.) (i) Name one method of measuring unemployment in Ireland - Leaving Cert Economics - Question 8 (a) - 2018

The continuing rise in employment typically leads to increased sales and profits for retailers. With more people employed, disposable income increases, resulting in greater spending on goods and services. As consumer demand rises, retailers may also consider expanding their operations, which could involve hiring additional staff to meet the growing market needs.

A rise in employment results in increased income tax revenues for the government. With more individuals earning wages, the amount collected through taxes such as the Pay As You Earn (PAYE) tax increases. Additionally, the government might see higher collections from Value Added Tax (VAT) as consumer spending rises, leading to an overall improvement in public finances.

With an increase in employment, consumer spending tends to rise, which may lead to greater demand for imports. This can negatively affect the Balance of Trade if the value of imports exceeds the value of exports. As businesses expand to meet increased domestic demand, they may also import more raw materials, further influencing the trade balance.