Value of certain services 16.6% up on pre-virus peak
The value of services decreased by 6.9% in April, when compared to March, new CSO data shows.
Accommodation and food service activities (+12.7%) and other service activities (+6%) recorded the largest monthly value increases.
The value of services output was 23.1% higher in April 2022 compared with April 2021.
The value of services in April 2022 was 16.6% higher than February 2020 (26 months earlier and pre-COVID-19).
The volume of services in April 2022 decreased by 3.1% when compared to March 2022.
The sectors with the highest monthly volume increases were other service activities (+5.3%) and transport and storage (+5.3%).
Services were 22% higher in volume terms in April 2022 compared with April 2021.
The volume of services in April 2022 was 17.8% higher than February 2020 (26 months earlier and pre-COVID-19).
Decreases
Statistician Stephanie Kelleher said: "Monthly services decreased by 6.9% in April, while volume also decreased by 3.1%.”
Decreases were recorded in information and communication (-14.2%), professional, scientific and technical activities (-6.6%) and administrative and support service activities (-2.8%).
On an annual basis, the value of services was 23.1% higher in April 2022 compared with April 2021.
All sectors showed an increase in activity compared to April 2021, a number of sectors showed large annual increases.
The largest annual increases were in accommodation and food service activities (+218%), other service activities (+103%) and transportation and storage (+41.3%).
Comparison is with a very low base from a year ago when Level Five restrictions were in force, the CSO has said.
Volume
The volume of services output in April 2022 decreased by 3.1% when compared with March 2022 on a seasonally adjusted basis.
On an annual basis, services were 22.0% higher in volume terms in April 2022 compared with April 2021. All sectors showed an increase in volume.
The volume of services in April 2022 was 17.8% higher than February 2020 (26 months earlier and pre-COVID-19) with a number of sectors showing an increase from February 2020 levels.
These included:
- Information and communication (+43.4%),
- Wholesale and retail trade (+7.3%),
- Professional, scientific and technical activities (+4.1%).
Showing a decrease since February 2020 were:
- Accommodation and food service activities (-20.8%),
- Administrative and support service activities (-16.1%),
- Transportation and storage (-12.3%),
- Other service activities (-5.4%).
The value of services in April 2022 was 16.6% higher than February 2020 (26 months earlier and pre-COVID-19).
The sectors to show an increase since February 2020 are:
- Information and communication (+35.7%),
- Wholesale and retail trade (+13.5%),
- Professional scientific and technical activities (+2.4%)
- Other service activities (+0.9%).
The sectors to record a decrease in activity were:
- Administrative and support service activities (-11.4%),
- Accommodation and food service activities (-7.9%),
- Transportation and storage (-5.7%).