Work within the construction industry has risen by 6%, according to the latest Northern Ireland Construction Bulletin.

The latest estimates are from the last quarter of 2014.

Finance Minister Simon Hamilton has said the new figures are "very encouraging".

Minister Hamilton said: "The construction industry is vitally important to the economy in Northern Ireland, employing nearly 60,000 people. The figures published today are very encouraging, with a notable increase in new work here signalling an important step in the recovery of the local building trade.

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"New work accounted for a 6% growth which can be seen across Northern Ireland with new building work underway in the housing and commercial sector.

"Construction of new houses accounts for the sharpest increase, 8.9% while infrastructure building is up by 3.6%. This is welcome news not only for the construction industry but also for those wanting to buy a house.

"Northern Ireland is showing positive signs of growth in the construction sector, with an overall increase of 3.9% on the last three months of 2014, which is the highest level of growth reported for almost two years."

(CD/JP)