Construction output up 7.2 % in year to end of June

Building construction output rose by 5.5 per cent in the second quarter when compared with the first three months of the year and was up by 7.2 per cent versus the same period a year earlier.

The quarterly jump was the sharpest gain in construction output since the second quarter of 2005.

New figures published by the Central Statistics Office on Wednesday show the annual rise in output volumes reflects year-on-year increases of 44.5 per cent for residential building and a 7.5 per cent rise in commercial building.

The volume of output in civil engineering was down 14 per cent in the year to the end of June, the data show.

The quarterly rise in building and construction output is linked to increases of 25.6 per cent, 14.6 per cent and 3.1 per cent respectively in the volume of civil engineering, residential building and non-residential building work during the period April to June.

The value of production for building and construction in the second quarter was up 3.9 per cent, the data show. On an annual basis, the value of production rose 8.5 per cent.

Davy described the latest figures as encouraging. It said demand for new housing and commercial space should continue to support the sector, while the government’s upcoming capital spending plan could reveal increases in public sector spending on public housing and infrastructure.