Hi-tech sector growth gives manufacturing output a welcome boost

The manufacturing sector grew in April compared with the previous month with most of the increase coming from the “modern” hi-tech sectors.

Production increased by 3.2% compared with March of this year and 1.2% compared with Apr 2012. Manufacturing output for the first quarter of 2013 was 0.6% higher than the last quarter of last year.

“Manufacturing accounts for about a quarter of Ireland’s gross domestic product. With weakened demand from abroad hitting goods exports particularly hard, Ireland has become increasingly reliant on its services industry,” Merrion Stockbroker economist Alan McQuaid said.