New figures show that conditions in the construction sector deteriorated further last month.
The Ulster Bank construction PMI recorded 32.2 in September, the third worst figure since the survey started in 2000. Any figure below 50 means activity fell.
Housing continued to record the lowest figure of 25.5, while the figure for the commercial sector was 34.6. The civil engineering sector showed the biggest reduction in activity, down from 38.2 in August to 35.8.
Employment levels fell, but input prices fell at a record level, the first drop since October 2003. Companies said reduced demand had led to a more competitive market, while falling diesel prices also helped.
'Overall, the indices continued to move sideways in September indicating that the pace of decline, though very substantial, has not accelerated further,' said Ulster Bank economist Pat McArdle.
