The construction sector grew at its fastest pace in six months during December on the back of strong growth in new orders.
The Ulster Bank Construction Purchasing Managers' Index - a seasonally adjusted index designed to track changes in total construction activity - rose to 58 in December from 56.7 in November.
Ulster Bank said that higher new orders amid improving economic conditions were mentioned by construction companies as supporting output growth.
Rises in employment and purchasing were also recorded, while confidence for the 12-month outlook improved.
But inflationary pressures remained elevated, with input costs increasing to the greatest extent in six months.
Along with increases in the prices of materials such as insulation and steel, companies also reported higher costs for fuel, insurance and staff.
Today's index showed increases in activity across all three monitored categories, with civil engineering seeing an expansion for the first time in seven months.
The strongest growth was again seen on housing projects, where the pace of increase was the fastest since June.
Commercial activity also rose at a sharper pace during the month.
Simon Barry, Ulster Bank's chief economist, said that overall, the construction PMI is the latest indicator to paint a decidedly upbeat picture of the economy's performance at the end of last year.
"It follows on from strong readings in a variety of other data points of late which have included the services and manufacturing PMIs, retail sales, housing supply and household income - all of which highlight that the Irish economy looks to be carrying considerable momentum into the early part of 2018," Mr Barry added.
