The number of people signing on the seasonally adjusted Live Register has fallen to 157,000 in July, down by 2,400.
This compares with an in crease of 1,500 in June, according to Central Statistic Office figures released today.
In the year to July 2006, there was an unadjusted increase of 437 (+0.3 per cent). This compares with an unadjusted increase of 3,759 (+2.4 per cent) in the year to June 2006.
The monthly seasonally adjusted decrease in July is made up of a decrease of 900 males and a decrease of 1,500 females. The standardised unemployment rate in July was 4.4 per cent
The Live Register is not designed to measure unemployment. It includes part-time workers (those who work up to three days a week), seasonal and casual workers entitled to unemployment assistance or benefit.