Only two sectors see year-on-year growth in March

All other sectors saw output fall year on year, led by significant declines in private industrial work (16.5 per cent), infrastructure (14.8 per cent) and public housing (14.7 per cent).

The fall in public housing output is the sector’s 11th consecutive double-digit year-on-year decline, while both private industrial and infrastructure have seen output fall for the past three months.

In contrast, March saw private housing post its second highest year-on-year growth for nine months, while the commercial sector recorded its third consecutive year-on-year increase.

However, the output stats have been questioned by leading industry commentators, who claim the data does not reflect industry sentiment and is at odds with other industry surveys.