There's been a mixed reaction locally to new figures showing a drop in the number people of the Live Register here
The CSO statistics show 116 people left Clare's dole queues last month, with falls recorded in all areas.
However, concern remains some parts of the county are still being left behind.
At the end of February there were 7,584 people signing on the dole queues here in Clare.
This is down from 7,700 at the end of the previous month, and a reduction of 745 on the same time last year.
In the past month, most of the fall has come in Ennis, where numbers fell by 91 to just over 4,000.
Mayor of Ennis, Fianna Fail's Pat Daly says it's welcome news for the county town.
In North Clare there was a drop of 14, while in East Clare that figure was 8.
Bodyke Fine Gael Councillor Joe Cooney says the employment situation is slowly improving, though he thinks the next government must continue efforts to increase investment in the area.
West Clare showed the smallest drop in numbers signing on at just 3.
Cathaoirleach of West Clare Municipal District and Miltown Malbay representative Christy Curtin says it's further evidence of the area being neglected.
