The Jobs Minister has insisted the government is sticking to its target of getting 100,000 people back to work.
Richard Bruton said the contraction in the economy wouldn't see the government roll back on its promises.
There are 40,000 more people at work now than two years ago - but only one in three new jobs is full time.
But the minister says the government is sticking to its targets.
Richard Bruton also says Ireland shouldn't fear the loss of pharmaceutical jobs, even as some drugs go off patent.
The value of Irish drug exports fell by almost €2 billion last year.
Economists have blamed the fall on the so-called 'patent cliff', where high-cost drugs manufactured in Ireland go off patent and can be replaced by cheap copies.
Richard Bruton says "there are real opportunities" in the sector, he said the fact that "employment grew in the sector is pretty encouraging".
