Construction sector expands in March

Irish constructors recorded a robust expansion of activity in March, according to the Ulster Bank Construction Purchasing Managers' Index.

The seasonally-adjusted index is designed to measure the overall performance of the construction economy.

Construction sector activity remained well above the 50.0 no-change mark at 56.6 and has now signalled growth in each month since September 2003.

Anecdotal evidence suggested that new contracts recently signed and expansion of existing projects had underpinned the latest rise in activity. However, the rate of growth eased to its lowest level for eight months and was below the average for the current expansionary period.