Official figures show that the number of people employed in industry at the end of 2006 was 241,500. This was down 1,400 from the September figure, but up 2,900 on the same time in 2005.
The seasonally adjusted employment figure showed a quarterly drop of 2,200 and an annual increase of 2,800.
Meanwhile, average weekly industrial earnings rose by 5.3% in the year to December, to €623.69.
