Unemployment levels in Northern Ireland are well below the EU average, according to data covering March-May 1999. These show unemployment standing at 53,000, or 7.2 per cent of the workforce which compares to 7.5 per cent in London, 9.6 per cent on Merseyside, and more than 10 per cent in north-east England.

Northern Ireland's Economy Minister, Mr Adam Ingram, said the figures also showed a fall in those claiming jobseekers' allowance.

"Between May and June 1999, the Northern Ireland seasonally-adjusted total fell by 1,500 to 52,200. This is the largest monthly fall in almost a year, and means the number claiming unemployment benefit is now at its lowest level since November 1979," said Mr Ingram.

The index of manufacturing output has also continued to rise, increasing by 2.4 per cent during the first quarter of the year, compared with the final quarter of 1998. That compared to a fall of 0.3 per cent for the UK as a whole. Over the full year, manufacturing output in Northern Ireland rose by 3.8 per cent, compared to a fall of 1.2 per cent for the UK as a whole.

"These figures confirm that the Northern Ireland economy is continuing to grow, and is out-performing other parts of the UK in a number of areas," Mr Ingram said.