Index shows construction sector is recovering 'at a fairly rapid pace'

Construction activity is continuing to increase according to the latest report from Ulster Bank.

However, the financial institution's Construction Purchasing Managers' Index has found a marginal slowdown in growth for the month of July.

The report also says sentiment has remained positive with more jobs being created in the sector.

Chief Economist with Ulster Bank, Simon Barry, said: "What respondents to our July survey are telling us is they are experiencing further robust increases in their activity levels.

"This is good news as it has been clear for some time that construction has been in recovery mode and these July results are telling us that that recovery is being sustained at a fairly rapid pace in the early part of the third quarter.

"It looks as if construction has got off to a pretty solid start in the second half of the year.