The number of employment vacancies fell sharply last month, according to the latest figures from Fás and the ESRI.
The data shows that the number of vacancies fell from 17 to 12 per cent, following a rise in July.
Vacancy levels for the year are averaging approximately 14 per cent, down four percentage points on the 2006 average.
A reduction in reported vacancies in the construction and services sectors was the main factor behind the fall. In construction, reported vacancies fell by five percentage points.