30% of construction workers leave

ALMOST 30% of people working in the construction sector have left Ireland to look for work overseas during the past three years, according to new data.

According to the Irish office of international recruitment specialist, Hays, 21% of those who have emigrated headed to Britain, 23% went to mainland Europe, another 15% headed for Australia/New Zealand and 13% made for the Middle East.

“Some 42% of the respondents have left Ireland without their families, a circumstance which makes this transition abroad even more difficult, but leaves us hopeful that they will return when work picks up,” said Hays Ireland Construction & Property senior operations manager, Paul O’Donnell.