McDonalds creates 100 new jobs as Flybe cuts staff 23 January 2013 Last updated at 12:31 The fast food chain, McDonalds, is to create 100 new jobs this year in Northern Ireland through investment in its restaurants. The company has 26 outlets in Northern Ireland, employing more than 2,000 people. Meanwhile, regional airline Flybe has said it expects to make 15 of its 150 staff redundant at its Belfast base. Three hundred jobs are being cut by the airline across its UK operations - 10% of its workforce - to try to save £35m. The Exeter-based airline operates out of George Best Belfast City Airport. Flybe said it did not expect "significant" changes to the number of its UK bases or routes, but said it would be reviewing its network. The news comes on a day when the latest figures revealed that Northern Ireland's overall unemployment rate has fallen slightly but the number of people signing on the dole continues to rise. Last year, 70% of the new positions in McDonalds were given to those under 21. Joanne Jones of McDonalds in Northern Ireland said it was important to give young people the chance to get workplace experience. "I'm confident that in the year ahead there will be the same level of enthusiasm and talent from candidates in Northern Ireland, and we're looking forward to employing even more young people across the province," she said.