The number of people working in construction increased by 2.3 per cent in January compared with the same month the previous year, according to Central Statistics Office (CSO) today.
The CSO's monthly employment index increased from 108.1 in January 2006 to 110.6 in January 2007.
Figures released in December last year by State agency Fás suggested there were 264,000 people working in the sector, or approximately one in eight of the two million employed in the economy.
The CSO also said weekly earnings unskilled workers in the sector rose by 4.7 per cent from €746.44 to €781.37 between December 2006 and the same month in 2005.
The hourly rate rose from €16.19 to €16.59, and the number of hours worked each week increased from 46.1 to 47.1.
For skilled building workers, weekly earnings rose by 1.1 per cent from €896.75 to €906.78 over the same period.
The hourly rate rose marginally from €20.08 to €20.15, and the number of hours worked each week increased from 44.7 to 45 hours.
Ulster Bank chief economist Pat McArdle said despite a contraction of housing activity in each of the past four months, total construction activity had accelerated to an eight-month high, with a surge in commercial building.