More than 158,000 people signed on for unemployment benefit in August, according to the latest Live Register figures.
The monthly increase, which featured 100 males and 500 females, compared to a decrease of 2,400 in July.
The unemployment rate in August stood at 4.4 per cent, the same as from the previous month.
The labour market has remained firm with the Live Register total moving in a tight range of between 157,000 and 160,000 people. The August figure of 158,200 was near the middle of that range and close to the average of the last 18 months.
Economists believe the steadiness of the Live Register at a time when the labour force is growing rapidly suggests the economy is still doing well.
"Considering the surge in the labour force since the start of 2005, it is encouraging that unemployment claimants have not increased significantly. It suggests that those joining the labour force are finding work readily," said Rossa White, economist with Davy stockbrokers.
The Live Register includes the number of part-time, casual and seasonal workers claiming unemployment benefit.