Figures show that growth in the manufacturing sector picked up last month after slowing to a 15-month low in November.
The NCB Purchasing Managers' Index recorded 53, up from 51.6 in November. Any figure above 50 signals growth.
NCB chief economist Dermot O'Brien said new orders strengthened, while there was renewed growth in export orders. Employment growth quickened to 51.6 from 50.4 in November.
Cost inflation continued to grow strongly, though the index was unchanged from November at 59.1, while prices charged by companies rose more sharply, with this index recording 55.4.
