DUBLIN, June 6 Reuters Activity in Ireland39;s services sector strengthened in May, helped by growth in new business, a survey showed on Thursday.

The AIB SP Global Purchasing Managers39; Index PMI increased to 55.0 last month, its second highest level this year, from 53.3 in April.

Rapid growth was seen in financial services as well as technology, media telecoms, the survey39;s authors said. There was a slight decrease in hiring in transport, tourism leisure.

Input cost inflation remained high, driven by wages and fuel, but growth in prices charged eased to a fivemonth low, the survey showed.

Writing by Conor Humphries Editing by Christina Fincher

Source Reuters