New export orders increased at their fastest rate in four months in July, according to the latest Investec Services PMI.
Survey respondents reported higher orders from a range of markets, including the UK, US, and Contintental Europe.
The PMI also notes the rate of growth in hiring improved to its highest since February, with some companies saying they are training new staff in line with anticipations of further increases in workloads.
The headline PMI for the month came in at 58.3, implying a slightly faster rate of growth in activity compared to June (57.6).
The Irish Services PMI has been above the 50 mark, which separates growth from contraction, for five years.
The July survey also points to a sharp rise in input costs for services firms but output price inflation was also seen during the month, with companies able to pass on some of the higher costs to end consumers.
The vast majority of companies surveyed say they expect further growth in the services sector over the next 12 months.
