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Laura Hutton/Photocall Ireland
Build it up
House building growth was at its fastest since 2000 last month
And employment is growing, too.
THE BUILDING OF houses grew by nearly 5% in September, a new report shows.
The Ulster Bank Purchasing Managers’ Index released this morning says that the increase in building in September was the fastest growth that the survey has seen since it was established in 2000.
Overall, the index was at 61.5 last month, showing an increase on August. Any number over 50 shows an increase on the previous month.
That was all down to the increase in housing activity, with commercial and civil engineering activity both down.
Simon Barry, the chief economist with Ulster Bank, said that the index shows a recovery in the construction sector and, with that, jobs.
“Survey participants are responding by adding further to their staffing levels.
“The employment index recorded a thirteenth consecutive month of expansion last month, with the rate of job creation picking up to its fastest since April. Sentiment among firms about the sector’s prospects over the coming twelve months remains very upbeat with confidence remaining at near-record levels in September.”
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