The economy grew by 1.5% in the third quarter of the year when compared with the same time in 2012.

The Central Statistics Office (CSO) says the biggest increases were seen in the construction sector which grew by 2.2%. While the distribution, transport, software and communication sectors grew by 2.1%.

It follows news that the construction sector is now officially in recovery, according to the CIF.

The body representing the construction industry said last Friday that this recovery follows the fifth consecutive quarter of growth in construction. And so far this year activity has grown by over 15%.

The latest CSO report showed the volume of construction activity had increased by 15.5% since the same period last year and there was also a 1.9% increase between the second and third quarters of 2013.

The CSO says other services increased by 1.2% on a seasonally adjusted basis over the same period.

However public administration and defence decreased by 1.0%, while agriculture, forestry and fishing declined by 2.9% between the second and third quarters of 2013.

It says that personal expenditure also increased by 0.9%and capital investment was up by 10.9% between the second and third quarters.

Government expenditure also rose by 1.1%, but net exports declined by €233 million in volume on a seasonally adjusted basis between Q2 and Q3.