Unemployment could end up exceeding 390,000 when the pandemic ends - a higher rate than at the peak of the last recession, according to the Social Justice Ireland research body.
Its latest Employment Monitor also shows that over a fifth of people whose jobs have been impacted by Covid-19 do not expect to return to their pre-pandemic job.
Social Justice Ireland warns of a looming crisis of youth unemployment, and calls for an extensive package of measures to support those experiencing joblessness.
According to the body, CSO data suggests the post-pandemic unemployment rate could top 16.1% - the highest since 1986. The pandemic has impacted the jobs of almost 1.25 million people.