The services sector expanded strongly last month on the back of new businesses, according to the NCB Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) released today.
For December the index was at 59.2, up slightly from 58.8 in November. However, the December reading was below the average for the year which was 62.2.
Dermot O'Brien, chief economist at NCB Stockbrokers said: "After easing a little in November, growth in private services activity rebounded in December, with stronger gains in new orders and a rising backlog of work."
He said confidence in the sector remains high and that employment growth was strong.