Activity in Ireland’s services sector increased by 0.7 per cent in September, as output in information and communications rose.

The monthly services index, produced by the Central Statistics Office (CSO), monitors trends in activity across the non-financial services sector.

Its headline index rose to 107.3 in September from 106.5 the previous month, with a base of 100 set for the index on its establishment in 2010.

Acitivty in the information and communications division rose 7.7 per cent in September when compared with the previous month.

On the downside, output accommodation and food services, administrative and support services Activities and transportation and storage services fell during the month by 3.5 per cent, 2.8 per cent and 2 per cent respectively.

On an annual basis, administrative and support service recorded 21.8 per cent in activity, with information and communications registering a 10.5 per cent.

Accommodation and food service activities fell by 8.6 per cent year on year, while professional, scientific and technical activities dropped 6 per cent when compared with September 2012.

Transportation and storage, and wholesale and retail trade both dropped by 1.8 per cent and 1 per cent respectively.