12/05/2009

Construction Contraction Beginning To 'Level Out'

Contraction in the Northern Ireland construction industry remained relatively unchanged during the last quarter, according to new government figures.

The latest Construction Bulletin, published by the Central Survey Unit of the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA), found the provisional seasonally adjusted Index of Construction for the period 1 October to 31 December 2008 was 94.9.

This is broadly similar to the level of construction output for the previous quarter (94.0). An overall downward trend in construction output has been evident since the second quarter of 2007.

The primary measure of the value of construction output in Northern Ireland (the Index of Construction) is obtained from the Northern Ireland Quarterly Construction Enquiry (QCE).

This is a statutory survey of construction firms operating in Northern Ireland. Each quarter a sample of construction firms is asked to provide details of the value of construction activity they have undertaken within NI in a specified period.

The Index uses 2000 as the base year i.e. (2000=100).

This Bulletin provides a measure of the value of construction output in Northern Ireland for the period 1 October to 31 December 2008.

A spokesman for the department said: "Results, particularly for the latest quarter are provisional and subject to revision, as fuller information becomes available from subsequent returns in future quarters."

(PR/JM)

Related Northern Ireland Business News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

23 August 2001
Northern Ireland Construction Bulletin published
The Statistics and Research Agency has published the latest edition of the Northern Ireland Construction Bulletin.
21 April 2011
UUP Seeks Maintenance Sector Boost
An official Government publication has this week confirmed the problems facing the construction trade in NI. The Department of Finance and Personnel's Construction Bulletin showed that the industry is in crisis, with overall activity down by over 15% in little over a year.
15 May 2002
Construction conference visits Northern Ireland
As part of an ongoing programme of information conferences, the British Woodworking Federation (BWF) is holding its first ever event in Northern Ireland. The half-day conference - which is being organised jointly with the Northern Ireland Timber Trade Association (NITTA) - will be held on Thursday 23 May at the Glenavon House Hotel in Cookstown.
15 June 2011
Sales Rising As House Prices Continue Falling
The volume of house sales in Northern Ireland have 'bucked the trend' and increased in May and - despite the recession - are set to rise over the next three months, according to a new survey. However, that is at a cost as prices being paid continue to fall.
28 January 2011
Size 'No Barrier to the Green Deal'
Small construction companies must not be excluded from the Green New Deal was the message from the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) Northern Ireland to the Minister for Department of Social Development (DSD) & Housing, Alex Attwood MLA, when they met this week.