Employment in the construction industry among private firms rose 0.5% in October 2003 over the same period in 2002.
The monthly employment index rose from 131.6 in October 2002 to 132.2 in October 2003.
For the year to September 2003, there was an annual increase in employment of 0.5%.
The data was compiled by the Central Statistics Office and relates to 1,000 building firms who employ a minimum of five people.