The seasonally adjusted monthly services value index increased by 5.5% in May 2012 when compared with April 2012.
There was also an annual increase of 8% according to the latest CSO figures.
A number of sectors showed month on month increase including information and communication (+12.1%), business services (+6.3%), wholesale and retail trade (+4.5%), other services (+2.3%) and accommodation and food service activities (+0.3%).
However, transportation and storage showed a monthly decrease of 1.4%.
There were year on year increases in May 2012 when compared with May 2011 in information and communication (+20.0%), transportation and storage (+8.7%), wholesale and retail trade (+8.3%), other services (+0.8%) and business services (+0.2%).
Accommodation and food service activities showed an annual decrease of 2.5%.
