The number of people registered as unemployed fell by more than a quarter in February when compared to the same month last year, new figures show. 

Data provided by Jobsplus showed that 701 fewer people were registered for work under Part I and 60 fewer under Part II of the unemployment register - an overall decrease of 27.5 per cent when compared to February 2017. 

Those registering under Part I are either new job seekers who have just left school, re-entrants into the labour market or individuals made redundant. 

Part II registration who quit their previous job, were fired for disciplinary reasons, previously refused work or were struck off the unemployment register. 

Registered unemployed dropped among all age groups, and declines were registered when compared to February 2017 irrespective of how long they had been registering for work. 

The number of persons with a disability who were registering for work also dropped by 21 when compared to the previous year, reaching 286. Men accounted for 77.3 per cent of total registrants with a disability, the figures showed. 

Clerical support work was the most in-demand form of work, with 18.9 per cent of registered men and 35.5 per cent of registered women seeking it.