Dole queues dipping across the region

The amount of claimants also fell from 7 per cent to 6.9 per cent in Limavady and from 7.1 per cent to 7 per cent in Strabane.

The figures are detailed in the latest labour market report published by Trade Minister Arlene Foster.

The report states: “The highest rates at April 2011 were in Derry (7.6 per cent), Strabane (7 per cent), Belfast (6.9 per cent) and Limavady (6.9 per cent).

“Those that showed the highest percentage increase in levels over the year to April 2011 were Ards (13.6 per cent), Castlereagh (10.7 per cent), Armagh (10.6 per cent) and Newry and Mourne (10.6 per cent).”

Meanwhile, the Minister also revealed that the Northern Ireland unemployment rate fell over the last quarter, January - March 2011, to 7.2 per cent.

Although more recent figures for April 2011 show that the number of unemployment benefit claimants increased by 200 from the previous month’s revised figure.

She said: “The latest labour market indicators report a fall in the unemployment rate to 7.2 per cent, down from 8 per cent in the previous quarter. It is also encouraging to note that unemployment in Northern Ireland is below the UK rate of 7.7 per cent.

“Any fall in the unemployment rate has to be welcomed. The number of redundancies over the past year is also just half of the preceding year’s, again suggesting we are making progress in the face of the downturn.”

The Minister continued: “Despite these signs of progress, I am conscious that we are nevertheless continuing to see an increase in the number of people claiming unemployment benefit.

“We cannot therefore take any gains for granted. There remains considerable work to be done to reverse the worse effects of the downturn and put Northern Ireland back on a sustainable road to recovery.

“I look forward to dedicating my second term as Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to continuing to lay the foundations for a successful, vibrant economy.

“It is therefore critical that we get the right level of incentives for both foreign and domestic businesses to accelerate economic growth. The consultation on Corporation Tax remains open until June 24 and I would urge all areas of the business community to make sure their voice is heard on this important issue.”