Output from factories in Ireland jumped in June to one of the highest levels ever recorded in a single month, according to new data from the Central Statistics Office.

While the industrial production numbers can be highly volatile, the latest figures suggest that the effects on the manufacturing sector of the international slump and structural changes in the pharmaceutical sector are waning.

The index of industrial production rose by 8 per cent between May and June on a seasonally adjusted basis, to reach the highest level since November last.

In the April-June period, a quarter on quarter increase of 3.3 per cent was recorded, twice the rate of increase three months early.

This represents a recovery of much of the ground lost in the second half of last year when output contracted sharply.