A survey has shown that Ireland's services sector grew for the second month in a row in November. But the rate remained sluggish as falling domestic demand and weakening sentiment offset growing exports.
The NCB Services Purchasing Managers' Index, which measures activity in the services sector, was steady at 50.8, compared with 50.9 in October, barely above the 50 mark separating growth from contraction.
Ireland's services industry and other sectors are relying on exports, in particular the output of multi-nationals operating in Ireland, to help kickstart the economy.
The new export business component of the index rose to 54.4 from 53.6 in October, recording a 15th successive month of growth.
But business confidence fell for the third month running, to 55.2. The employment index rose from 45.2 to 48.7, which means firms are still shedding jobs, but not as much as in October. Costs and prices charged by firms continued to drop.
