Unemployment dropped in July with the seasonally adjusted Live Register standing at 157,600, a fall of 2,400 on June. This compares with an increase of 1,500 the previous month.

There were 1,500 fewer females on the register, which measures the number of people availing of unemployment assistance or benefit, compared with a decrease of just 900 males.

The total standardised unemployment rate was unchanged at 4.4 per cent for the eighth month in a row, well below the 7.9 per cent rate for the euro zone as a whole.

"All in all, the positive trend in the labour market is likely to continue over the remainder of this year," said Alan McQuaid, economist at Bloxham Stockbrokers.

On an unadjusted basis, the register showed an increase of 5,887 last month to 168,946.

Mr McQuaid expects average employment growth to exceed 80,000 again this year, based on the figures for the first quarter. An average of 159,1000 is forecast for the Live Register for 2006, up from 157,100 in 2005.

Including seasonal workers, the Live Register total increased by 5,887 in July from a month earlier, as temporary and part-time educational staff were without employment following the closure of primary schools for the summer holidays.

The estimated number of casual and part-time workers on the Live Register last month was 7,595 men and 12,105 women.

However, the number of people under 25 on the Live Register increased by 923 in July to 33,561, as more men went on to claim unemployment benefit.

"We clearly need further research to determine the reason for this high level of unemployment among the under 25s, including the extent to which they drop out of school, their literacy issues, lack of skills or training, and displacement," said Willie Penrose, the Labour Party spokesman for social and family affairs.

The largest percentage increase on the register, on an unadjusted monthly basis, was posted in the mid-west, led by Leitrim. However, the Live Register saw increases in all counties.