The latest Building Information Index shows that the value of construction projects commenced saw a significant increase in the first half of 2015, rising by €802 million to €2.754 billion when compared to the same period in 2014

This represents an increase of +41% in the value of actual construction activity for the first six months of 2015 when compared to the first half of 2014.

The Building Information Index shows that the average number of weeks it takes for a construction project to get from the planning application stage to work starting on site was 74 weeks for the first six months of 2015.

Construction projects in the Residential sector were the slowest to get through this process, taking on average 139 weeks. Agriculture and Education construction projects were the fastest at 51 weeks, followed by Industrial (57 weeks), Commercial & Retail (59 weeks) and Medical (63 weeks).

Managing Director of Building Information Ireland, Danny O’Shea said, "The Building Information Index shows that the value of construction projects increased by €802 million to €2.754 billion in the first six months of 2015 from €1.952 billion for the same period in 2014.

"When these figures for the value of Project Commencements are broken down for the different regions, the Building Information Index shows that the recovery in the construction sector is being felt across the whole of Ireland, with Munster recording the largest increase with gains of +116%, while Dublin (+34%), Leinster (+27%) and Connaught/Ulster (+8%) also performed strongly."

Source: www.businessworld.ie