The AIB Ireland Construction PMI dropped to 47.1 in April 2026 from March’s 10-month high of 53.2, marking the first contraction in three months. The latest figure also marked the steepest decline since last November, as new orders fell for the first time in five months due to the impact of the Middle East conflicts. The decline was driven by a fall in housing activity for the first time in three months, while the civil engineering category continued to contract. Employment rose at the fastest rate in just over two years, while purchasing activity continued to increase. Suppliers’ delivery times lengthened to the greatest extent since May 2022 amid shipping delays linked to the conflict in the Middle East. On the price front, input cost inflation accelerated to its highest level since June 2022 due to higher fuel prices. Looking ahead, business sentiment weakened to its lowest level in almost three and a half years amid intensifying inflationary pressures.