CIF: 320,000 jobs will be lost

THE number of jobs lost in the construction industry is set to exceed 320,000 by the end of 2011, Construction Industry Federation (CIF) director general Tom Parlon estimates.

Speaking at the GMIT International Construction Management Conference in Dublin, Mr Parlon blames cuts implemented by the previous Government for the plight facing the construction sector.

Citing analysis by DKM Economic Consultants, Mr Parlon also noted that construction output fell from €38.5 billion in 2006 to €12bn last year. CIF projects that output could fall to below €10bn this year.