Lagan Brick is to create 30 new jobs in Kingscourt in Co Cavan, as a result of the upturn in the Irish and UK construction markets.

The jobs will be located at Drumgill, Kingscourt on the site of the company’s old Lagan Brick facility, which closed in December 2011.

The company will commission one kiln in the first phase of its new operation, producing 12 million bricks per annum.

The long term aim of the business is to have two Kiln lines fully operational with a further eight million bricks potentially being produced if forecasts are met.

Lagan Brick said twenty of the jobs will come on line immediately, and the ten remaining positions to be phased in when the second kiln is in operation.

As well as the significant opportunities here in Ireland, since the recovery, Lagan said demand in the UK has far outstripped supply and the total market for brick in the UK in 2015 is likely to be in the region of 2.2 billion bricks.

Lagan Brick general manager Jody Guilfoyle said current buoyancy in the Irish and UK construction markets indicates there is strong demand for Lagan's product.

“We are delighted to see an upturn in the economy after a very difficult period and to be in a position to recruit for the Lagan Brick facility in Kingscourt which closed three years ago because of the recession,” he added.

With signs of confidence returning to the market, the Board of Lagan Brick said it identified an opportunity to meet increasing demand, particularly out of the UK by reinvesting in brick manufacturing in Ireland.

The factory will be Ireland’s only such facility; the current market of 30 million bricks on the island of Ireland is serviced by imports.