Irish manufacturers are recruiting again as orders continue to rise, according to the latest industrial survey.
The NCB Purchasing Managers' Index registered a reading 53.7 in February to remain above the critical 50.0 no-change mark for the sixth consecutive month.
Mr Dermot O'Brien, chief economist at NCB, said not only was February the sixth straight month of growth, the pace of expansion also appears to be increasing. "Manufacturing output and new orders are now at quite elevated levels and employment has begun to grow again," he said.
The index, which is based on a monthly survey of manufacturers, also found firms reporting a rise in export orders, reflecting strengthening global demand.