Pay rates for beleaguered Irish construction operatives rose slightly in the last 12 months - flying in the face of pessimism in the ailing building sector.

During the year proceeding June 2008 construction workers gained a 2.2% rise in pay - bringing average weekly earnings to €817.41 from €800.05

The figures, compiled by the Central Statistics Office, suggested a 2.4% increase in hourly rates earned by builders of all grades.

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This brought the average hourly rate to €18.90 from a previous €18.46.

However, builders' average working week fell by 0.2% - meaning most operatives worked around ten minutes less every week - from 43.3 hours to 43.2 hours.

The earning potential of unskilled workers increased by around 2.5% - bringing their average weekly take home pay to €810.10 from €790.40 - during the 12 months.

Their hourly rate rose from €17.33 to €17.80 and the number of hours worked each week decreased from 45.6 to 45.5.

Skilled workers experienced a 0.1% weekly pay increase - from €909.23 to €910.14 over the same period.

The hourly rate rose from €20.80 to €20.91 and the number of hours worked each week decreased from 43.7 to 43.5.

(PR/JM)