The number of people on the Live Register dropped by 4,270 (2.5 per cent) last month to 166,552, according to the Central Statistics Office.
Figures released this morning show there was an increase of 8,846 (5.6 per cent) in the total numbers signing on in the year to October 2003. This compares to an annual increase of 9,390 (5.8 per cent) in the year to September.
When adjusted for seasonal factors, the October total fell by 900 from 173,500 in September to 172,600.
The Live Register includes part-time workers and seasonal and casual workers entitled to Unemployment Assistance or Benefit. The latest available figure (March to May 2003) for the actual number of people unemployed is 81,400.
CSO figures for employment in the construction industry for September show a slight rise of 0.7 per cent compared with September of last year.
The monthly employment index increased from 140.5 in September 2002 to 141.5 in September 2003.