Northern Ireland government statistics, published today, have reported a 0.7-point decrease in construction during the last three months of 2007.

The data, collated by the Central Survey Unit of the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA), was published in the latest edition of the Northern Ireland Construction Bulletin.

The statistics, a statutory study, are calculated through a quarterly sample-survey of construction firms in the province, detailing the value and level of activity they have undertaken in a specified period.



The primary measure of the value of construction output in Northern Ireland (the Index of Construction) is obtained from the Northern Ireland Quarterly Construction Enquiry (QCE).

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The Index uses 2000 as the base year, making the year equal to 100-points. 



The latest bulletin provides a measure of the value of construction output in Northern Ireland for the period 1st October to 31st December 2007. 



The key finding from the QCE for the period 1st October to 31st December 2007 is that the Index of Construction is down 0.7-points on the previous quarter.



The detailed changes during the three months ending 31st December 2007 are as follows:

The seasonally adjusted Index of Construction was 98.6, down 0.7-points on the previous quarter (99.3) and down 4.4-points on the corresponding quarter in 2006 (103.0).

The estimated seasonally adjusted value of construction output (at 2000 prices) was £547million, a decrease of 0.7% (£4million) on the previous quarter (£551million) and a decrease of 4.2% (£24million) on the corresponding quarter in 2006 (£571million).

(PR/JM)