There was an upswing in construction during January as the Ulster Bank Construction PMI rose to 63.6 - up from 58.6 in December. Any figure over 50 indicates growth.

This was the fastest expansion since June of last year, and the second consecutive month of accelerating growth.

Activity in the sector has increased during each of the last 29 months.

New business experienced its strongest increase in seven months with activity increasing across housing, commercial and civil engineering during January.

Housing grew at the fastest rate, enjoying its largest bounce since October 2014.

Sentiment in the sector remained strong, with firms taking on more staff and increasing their purchasing activity.

Ulster Bank's senior economist Simon Barry commented on the figures:

"Overall, the strong construction PMI figures mirror the encouraging signals sent from the other Irish PMI surveys for January, particularly the services equivalent which jumped to its highest level in over nine and a half years.

"While there are some prominent downside risks facing the outlook for the global economy at present, several important areas of the domestic economy in Ireland look to be carrying considerable momentum into the early months of 2016."