Manufacturing production in March was 11.5% higher than in the same month of 2013, according to the latest figures from the Central Statistics Office.

The rise was driven primarily by activity in the high-tech and chemical sectors, which rose 20.8% year-on-year.

Production in more traditional areas of manufacturing, including food and textiles, was 0.8% lower in the same period.

The overall production figures for March were 4.7% higher than in February 2014.

The seasonally-adjusted industrial turnover index was up 3.3% on both a monthly and annual basis, according to the CSO.