The body representing the construction industry says the sector is officially in recovery. It follows the fifth consecutive quarter of growth in construction.

And so far this year activity has grown by over 15%.

The latest Central Statistics Office (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 latest CSO Production in Building and Construction Index recorded a 16.6% in civil engineering activity and 6.9% increase in non-residential building.

But there was a drop of 7.4% in the volume of residential building.

Director-General of the Construction Industry Federation (CIF) is Tom Parlon. He says the growth is from a low base but indications are positive.