Output from Irish-based factories rose by 12.8 per cent in July driven by increased production in the high-tech and pharma sectors of the economy.

Figures from the Central Statistics Office (CSO) show the volume of production for Irish manufacturing industries has risen by 19.9 per cent on an annual basis.

However, seasonally adjusted volume for the three months between May and July was 3.5 per cent lower than in the preceding three-month period, reflecting the uneven nature of recovery.

A breakdown of the figures show the “Modern” sector, comprising a number of high-technology and chemical sectors, witnessed a monthly increase in production of 11.4 per cent.

There was also a monthly increase of 4.7 per cent in the “Traditional” sector.