Irish construction slows unexpectedly as input costs rise 

Almost a quarter of purchasing managers surveyed said their input costs had picked up in July.

Activity in housing and in other parts of the Irish construction industry unexpectedly slowed in July, as inflation costs showed some signs of edging higher again, a major survey has found.

However, the BNP Paribas Real Estate Ireland Construction Index also reported that employment levels rose in July from June, indicating that builders may be preparing for better times ahead.