Employment in the construction sector fell by 2.3 per cent last year, according to a report released by the Central Statistics Office (CSO) today.
Employment in construction has now been sliding steadily for 18 months consecutive months, according to the latest figures.
The last annual increase to be seen in the Index of Employment in Construction came in August 2001.
The index is based on a sample inquiry conducted among 1,000 building firms employing five or more people.