Simon Barry

Irish energy prices remain high as European rates fall

Consumers suffer double whammy as prices rose faster here than in other euro zone states and are now not falling in line with those countries

Fri Apr 21 2023 - 05:00

Builders predict ‘significant’ material hikes and problems in 2022

Some 83% endured a rise in labour costs last year and most expect trend to continue

Mon Jan 17 2022 - 05:59

Recovery of construction continues despite sharp rise in prices

Index figures show continuation of strong growth through middle of the fourth quarter

Mon Dec 13 2021 - 05:45

Construction activity rises sharply again as new orders surge

Despite growth, supply chain disruptions remained ‘highly problematic’ for firms

Mon Nov 08 2021 - 05:05

Is the era of super-low interest rates coming to an end?

Smart Money: The post-Covid bounceback leaves central banks with a dilemma

Thu Nov 04 2021 - 12:13

Surge in activity in Irish construction sector continues in August

Economist says supply-chain developments continue to be headwind for construction firms

Mon Sept 13 2021 - 05:54

Construction sector continued its speedy recovery in July

Brexit and pandemic cause delivery delays as material costs reach record highs

Mon Aug 09 2021 - 05:36

Housing sector drives post-Covid construction sector surge

Input costs rise again as global supply and shipping issues lengthen delivery times

Mon Jul 12 2021 - 07:55

Construction ‘ramps up’ in May with fastest increase in five years

Ulster Bank index shows surge in housebuilding activity after lifting of restrictions

Mon Jun 14 2021 - 05:37

House-building rebounds strongly following easing of restrictions

Ulster Bank’s April PMI shows sector continued to face severe supply-chain disruption

Mon May 17 2021 - 06:00

Builders upbeat on prospects for next year despite partial shutdown

Ulster Bank purchasing managers index shows improvement in March over February

Mon Apr 12 2021 - 05:15

Construction activity declines but firms remain optimistic

Drop in new orders and with staffing levels and purchasing activity seen in January

Mon Feb 08 2021 - 04:45

Construction in ‘expansion mode’ fuelled by new homes until latest restrictions

Ulster Bank PMI suggests some builders stockpiled materials ahead of Brexit

Mon Jan 11 2021 - 05:15

Construction activity on rise as increase in new orders

Latest indicator shows sentiment still subdued amid fears of further Covid disruptions

Mon Nov 09 2020 - 05:05

Irish construction nears stabilisation after Covid-19 hit

150,000 construction workers are operating on 1,100 sites, according to the CIF

Mon Oct 12 2020 - 01:31

Irish construction suffers record 45% contraction in output

Fall-off in activity as a result of coronavirus was nearly four times bigger than euro area average

Fri Sept 04 2020 - 12:07

The extraordinary impact of Covid-19 on the jobs market

Smart Money: The situation is unprecedented and much remains unclear

Thu Aug 27 2020 - 11:10

Expert warns crash in Irish construction likely to be biggest on record

Ulster Bank’s Simon Barry says contraction in activity for the second quarter could exceed 30%

Tue Aug 25 2020 - 01:00

Irish construction activity picks up again in July

Industry continued recovery from Covid-19 slump for second straight month

Mon Aug 10 2020 - 03:25

Construction activity rebounds as sites re-open

Activity levels up sharply in June versus May but construction firms continue to cut jobs

Mon Jul 13 2020 - 08:54

Construction industry expected to take at least 12 months to recover

Ulster Bank survey saw 93 per cent of respondents report a decline in activity in April

Mon May 11 2020 - 01:00

Employers slow to take up Covid-19 wage subsidy scheme

Revenue figures show 82% of hospitality workers claiming support

Sat Apr 18 2020 - 05:50

Coronavirus: Construction industry collapses as restrictions take hold

Ulster Bank’s PMI shows housebuilding and work on projects at lowest level in 11 years

Mon Apr 06 2020 - 04:00

Stormy weather hampers housebuilding in February

Ulster Bank’s latest barometer suggests activity was dented by poor weather

Mon Mar 09 2020 - 05:45

Commercial building up but housebuilding slips, survey suggests

Many businesses in building sector seem to expect activity will pick up again later in year

Mon Feb 10 2020 - 05:36

Construction grows again in Republic after three-month slowdown

Reduced Brexit uncertainty cited as source for increase in construction activity at the end of 2019

Mon Jan 13 2020 - 05:26

Housebuilding contracts for first time since 2013, survey finds

Slippage in residential activity at odds with official data, says Ulster Bank

Mon Dec 09 2019 - 05:06

Irish slowdown under disorderly Brexit would still be ‘huge shock’

‘Number of cliff edges’ still facing Irish business

Wed Nov 13 2019 - 13:33

Construction activity falls at sharpest rate since June 2013 – survey

Brexit jitters drive commercial wobble but residential sector still expanding

Mon Nov 11 2019 - 05:19

Brexit uncertainty triggers first construction fall-off in six years

Ulster Bank PMI says firms cited negative Brexit impact on overall demand conditions

Mon Oct 14 2019 - 00:01

New homes supply begins to meet demand as price growth slows

Good news for first-time buyers but affordability is still a factor - and Brexit is the fly in the ointment

Fri Sept 06 2019 - 06:00

Pace of building growth hits six-year low, says Ulster Bank

Ulster Bank PMI index was 51.4 in July, down from 53.1 in June as Brexit looms

Mon Aug 12 2019 - 04:34

Will Boris Johnson send sterling spiralling towards parity – and what would this mean?

Smart Money: How does a plunge affect the economy and consumers?

Thu Jul 18 2019 - 12:09

Construction activity slows as sentiment declines

Business confidence fell to a three-month low last month, a leading indicator shows

Mon Jul 08 2019 - 15:38