Featured Region: Northern Ireland

Last year saw the first rise in new project starts in the Province since 2009, with the value of underlying starts growing by 16% albeit from a low base. The initial impact of the credit crunch upon construction activity in Northern Ireland was mollified by consistent government spending, with new project starts peaking in 2009. However as this government stimulus subsequently declined, overall construction workload has been buffeted by the downturn in the northern Irish economy and fallout from the deep recession south of the border.

However, it appears that Northern Ireland is now emerging from the trough of this downturn and the value of underlying project starts are expected to improve from here on.

The final quarter of 2013 saw expansion take hold, with the underlying value of project starts nearly double the level of a year earlier, in large part thanks to work starting on a £80 million heat & power plant in Derry. The recovery has continued during the first eight months with the value of underlying project starts rising 13%.

Northern Ireland consists of the following Counties: Co. Antrim, Co. Armagh, Co. Down, Co. Fermanagh, Co. Londonderry, Co. Tyrone.