Activity in Ireland’s construction sector has seen it lowest point, in over a year, following low orders and weak client confidence.

Construction remained the economy's weakest sector in September, with activity falling at its sharpest pace in 16 months.

A survey from Markit economics and Ulster Bank revealed that a further in drop new orders and continuing lay-offs has saw the sector flounder.

Both housing activity and civil engineering projects decreased at a faster pace in September, while commercial activity decreased at the weakest pace since April.

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The decline in new business has led to a further fall in employment, which in this sector has been in a constant decline for the last four and a half years.

This news comes after similar data had suggested the rate of decline had eased in the months July and August.

"There was no let up in the construction downturn according to the latest reading of the Ulster Bank Construction PMI," Simon Barry, chief economist Republic of Ireland at Ulster Bank, said.

"The results of the September survey show that the pace of decline in activity accelerated, with the sector now experiencing the sharpest rate of contraction since May of last year."

(LB/CD)