The Irish services sector expanded for the eighteenth month running in November, according to the latest survey.
The NCB Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) for November recorded a reading of 59.4, well above the 50 mark which signals expansion.
The index which is based on a monthly survey of managers in the services sector found just under 40 per cent of respondents pointed to an increase in their activity from the previous month, compared with 14 per cent that indicated a decline.
Mr Dermot O'Brien, NCB's chief economist, said the November PMI shows the Irish services sector growing at a very robust pace, with overall business activity up sharply, employment growth at its fastest in almost three years and confidence holding at a high level.
"Given that about 45 per cent of the workforce is employed in the sector, the survey provides substantial reassurance at a time of uncertainty in the international economy," he said.
Volumes of incoming new business continued to expand strongly in November, and at a sharper rate compared to October. Panellists commented on particularly healthy spending among domestic clients.
Reports suggested that effective advertising and promotional work had helped to secure both new and repeat business.
Employment staffing levels in the Irish services economy continued to grow in November, as firms recruited additional workers to handle greater demand.
Furthermore, the already robust pace of job creation accelerated slightly from that recorded a month earlier.