Dublin unemployment in 1Q2018 was 5.7%, down 1.0% yoy.

The number of persons employed increased by 13,200 - the largest quarterly increase in 10 years.

But house prices increased by 10.7% in May, the 12th consecutive month of double-digit price growth.

And for 1Q2018 the average monthly rent was up 7.8% yoy.

Near full employment and rising housing costs make for a bad combination of factors for hospitality and tourism businesses which depend on a reliable supply of relatively low-skilled, low-wage workers - many immigrants from both EU and non-EU countries.

We in the USA have a similar problem, because of limits on visas for foreign workers, and ever-increasing housing costs in popular tourist areas.

Some industries have been able to get around this problem by substituting technology - automation - for human labor. But that doesn't work so well in tourism.

If I hear of a promising solution anywhere, I'll let you know!