The number of foreign workers coming to the Republic of Ireland is at its lowest in nine years.

The latest figures show there were ten thousand less work permits issued last year compared to 2007.

Thirteen and a half thousand permits for foreign workers were issued by the department of enterprise trade and employment last year.

That's the least number since 1999.

The number has been falling from the record high of almost 48,000 in 2003 and mirrors the overall drop in employment.

Meanwhile a sharp reduction in the number of permits renewed also underlines the rise in overall unemployment.

Almost eight and a half thousand new permits were issued last year but there were just over five thousand renewals compared to thirteen and a half thousand renewals in 2007.

Most permits are issued for the services and health sectors.