The number of people signing on to the Live Register during November was the lowest for five years.
The Central Statistics Office is due to publish its official Live Register figures for the month on Friday.
The data showed that the unemployment rate remains around the 4 per cent level despite job losses in the manufacturing sector and steady numbers of returning emigrants.
A Government spokesman said: "The Live Register figures for November are the lowest since 2001.
"Returning emigrants seeking jobs are being quickly absorbed into the labour force and not affecting the overall unemployment rate."
