Official figures released today show the number of jobs in Northern Ireland has risen - driven by increased service sector positions - but at an overall slower rate of growth than previously, while there was a marked decrease in construction sector jobs.

While the new estimates represented the highest figure of employment on record, the rate of growth over the latest quarter (0.1%) had slowed compared to the same quarter one year earlier (0.8%).

A stark warning has been cast though by the news that construction jobs fell by 900, with the sector usually being a reliable 'barometer' of the overall economy.

Seasonally adjusted figures from the NI 'Quarterly Employment Survey' estimated that there were 722,320 employee jobs filled in June 2008, representing a net increase of 480 over the quarter and an increase of 4,490 over the year.

The overall increase over the quarter was driven by rises in service sector jobs (+1,510).

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The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in Northern Ireland was estimated at 4.4% for the period May - July 2008.

This represented an increase from both the rate recorded in the previous quarter (3.9%) and from the rate for the same period one year ago (3.5%).

However, the Northern Ireland unemployment rate remained below the UK average (5.5%) and was also lower than the European Union (6.8%) and Republic of Ireland (5.7%) rates for June 2008.

The number of people claiming unemployment related benefits in August 2008 stood at 27,600. This showed an increase of 800 from the previous month and a rise of 4,200 over the year.

The latest seasonally adjusted working age economic inactivity rate in Northern Ireland (27.0%) had increased from the rate for the previous quarter (26.5%).

The Northern Ireland rate (27.0%) remained significantly higher than the UK average (20.8%) and continued to be the highest of all the UK regions.

Commenting on the figures, Economy Minister, Arlene Foster said: "The latest figures show that jobs growth had slowed and that unemployment was rising.

"As expected, the construction industry was worst affected, reflecting the pressures being experienced in the housing market and the wider building industry.

"However, our overall unemployment rate remained below that of the UK and the Republic of Ireland.

"World economic conditions may lead to the continuation of these trends in the next set of figures," she said, commenting that trading conditions have become increasingly difficult, with a combination of rising costs, limitations on credit and reduced demand from overseas markets.

"We must continue to focus on the areas that offer the greatest long term return, as outlined in the Programme for Government. These include prioritising skills and innovation, and targeting high value-added markets," she said.

(BMcC)