Employment figures from FAS and the Economic and Social Research Institute, the ESRI, show that in the month of May the number of firms reporting vacancies fell by three points to 13%.
Overall, the vacancy rate in the construction sector dropped by four points to 6%, the lowest for almost a year.
The employment expectations indicator - the difference between the number of companies expecting a rise in employment levels and those expecting a fall - was slightly down overall but still positive at 4%. This is a more optimistic position than was the case at this time last year.
But the figure in the construction sector dropped three points to -14%, the lowest since November 2002.
The most difficult positions to fill are still connected to construction - such as quantity surveyors, site managers and engineers. There are also jobs available for sales staff and pharmacists.
