Factory output growth slows according to Investec Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index

A survey yesterday showed the pace of manufacturing growth here slowed last month, as an economist has warned that the housing crisis could impede economic recovery.

Ireland’s manufacturing sector expanded in November, but growth eased to its slowest pace in 21 months on slightly weaker new orders and employment prospects, according to the Investec Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index.

The health reading slipped to 53.3 last month from 53.6 in October, but still comfortably above the 50 line denoting growth, but registering the slowest pace of expansion since February 2014.