New figures show that the construction sector accounted for almost a quarter of economic output last year.
The Review of the Construction Industry 2005, produced by economic consultants DKM and commissioned by Government, found that the building industry's total output last year was €31.5 billion.
The report said the housing sector was on course to build 90,000 homes this year, beating 2005's record of 81,000. The construction sector employed 264,300 last year.
The non-residential sector - which includes investment in office, industrial, retail and agricultural building - performed strongly with output up 19% last year.
