There was a general improvement across Northern Ireland's hard-hit construction sector in the third quarter of the year, according to RICS.

During July, August and September, construction activity fell at its least severe rate in four and a half years, the organisation’s latest survey of the industry reveals.

Expectations for the market also improved significantly.

The balance between chartered surveyors reporting rising and falling construction activity was at its least negative since the first quarter of 2008.

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In terms of sentiment, the balance of chartered surveyors regarding whether they expect workloads to be higher or lower in 12 months' time improved dramatically.

Northern Ireland, however, continues to lag significantly behind the rest of the UK, and the local construction sector remains in a challenging place.

Jim Sammon, RICS NI construction spokesman, said: "What we are seeing is activity in the market falling at a less significant rate than before, and the expectation is for the pace of contraction to ease further. However, activity is still falling, and the key challenges for the sector remain.

"Finance is constrained, private sector activity remains scarce, and public sector demand remains constrained. Many firms are increasingly turning to markets outside of Northern Ireland for work."

(CD)