THE NUMBER of jobs in Northern Ireland has risen to a record level, the latest data show.

The seasonally-adjusted figures from the Quarterly Employment Survey estimated that there were 722,120 people employed in the North in March 2008. There was a net increase of 1,380 jobs over the quarter January to March and a rise of 10,630 over the year.

The overall increase over the quarter was driven by rises in service sector jobs (+1,570) and manufacturing jobs (+70). There was a decrease, however, in construction jobs (-230) over the same period. The general growth came as new figures showed that the number of people claiming jobless benefits in Britain rose at the fastest rate in two years in April, climbing further in May. The Office for National Statistics said the claimant count in Britain increased by 9,000 last month, and revised the increase in April up to 11,200.

The seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate in Northern Ireland was estimated at 3.9 per cent for the period February-April 2008. The number of people claiming unemployment related benefits last month was 24,700. This represents a slight decrease from both the rate recorded in the previous quarter (4.4 per cent) and from the rate for the same period one year ago (4 per cent).

The Northern Ireland unemployment rate remains below the UK average (5.3 per cent) and is also considerably lower than the European Union rate (6.7 per cent) for March 2008.

Figures remained high in terms of the seasonally-adjusted economic inactivity rate in Northern Ireland. There were 288,000 (26.5 per cent) in this category which is down slightly from the rate for the previous quarter (27.1 per cent). The rate remains significantly higher than the UK average (20.8 per cent) and it continues to be the highest of all the UK regions.

Arlene Foster, who this week took over the North's Enterprise, Trade and Industry Department from Nigel Dodds, said that given the well-documented downturn that "currently looms over the world economy, it is encouraging to see continued jobs growth in Northern Ireland in the first quarter of the year".

"Most sectors have continued to perform well in what are difficult trading conditions. Overall the private sector in Northern Ireland grew by some 9,000 jobs during the last year, which is particularly welcome," she added.

She warned, however, that there was evidence that economic pressure was continuing to build.