Demand for labour remains strong in Ireland, according to the latest Bank of Ireland jobs index.

Figures for April show the number of posts advertised in newspapers were 14 per cent ahead of the same period last year, with a total of 15,519 jobs appearing.

Demand for professionals outstripped all other sectors, climbing 46 per cent in the year, although there was also good growth in healthcare, which saw a 25 per cent increase. Recruitment advertisements in the construction and manufacturing sectors were also buoyant - up 18 and 17 per cent respectively.

However, the financial sector saw a 31 per cent decline in the number of posts on offer in the past year as companies in the industry cut costs.

Educational posts, too, were in decline, down 26 per cent on April 2003, while the leisure industry showed a 3 per cent fall.

"Renewed business confidence and demand for labour, particularly across the construction and manufacturing sectors, which has experienced month-on-month growth for the last 10 months, are driving the economy," said Mr Tom Comerford, director of business banking at Bank of Ireland.

Dr Dan McLaughlin, chief economist at the bank, said the April index added to evidence that employment growth had accelerated in recent months. "Employment appears to be growing again in manufacturing and the information technology sector after a bleak three years."

Dr McLaughlin said the index showed that the number of recruitment advertisements had risen by 15 per cent in the three months to April over the same period in 2003.

Other areas showing growth were retail, up 5 per cent, and IT, 4 per cent ahead.