FÁS predicts 76,000 building jobs to go

PREDICTIONS by FÁS that there will be 76,000 job losses in the house construction sector by the end of next year has prompted both SIPTU and the Construction Industry Federation (CIF) to demand that the Government press ahead with its infrastructural projects immediately.

In his report on behalf of FÁS, John McGrath said 20,000 jobs will be created in other sectors of the industry, meaning a net loss of 56,000.

The CIF said the figures from by FÁS were a “worst-case scenario”, but the undoubted downturn in the industry made it clear that the Government must push ahead with its capital expenditure programme.