Irish factories report boost as inflation pressures ease

Recent figures suggest growth may have hit bottom already and a slow recovery is underway.

The Irish survey is closely watched because of the large number of large multinationals based here that are involved in making pharmaceutical, computer, and medical equipment for export to global markets.

Irish manufacturing got an unexpected boost in January with conditions improving and factories reporting that strong inflation pressures were easing, according to the latest monthly survey.                       

Overall conditions for Irish factories picked up despite manufacturing activity in other countries continuing to contract, the AIB Purchasing Managers' Index suggests.