The Irish economy is expected to stabilize over the coming year, with gross national product (GNP) to remain largely the same in 2010 as last year.

In its quarterly economic commentary for spring 2010, the Economic Research and Social Institute predicts a "modest pace of growth" in GNP during 2011 of 2.75 per cent.

This could help to boost the number of employment opportunities in the country over the coming years, with the jobless total expected to dip between 2010 and 2011 from 13.75 per cent to 13 per cent, largely as a result of migratory outflows.

Meanwhile, employment is not expected by the body to grow over the period, averaging 1.9 million both this year and next.

Additionally, a fall in the government deficit is forecast in the report as a result of tax rises and spending cuts.

Ireland has an estimated population of around 4.2 million and an economy dependent upon trade.