CIF says €2bn capital cut would hit 55,000 jobs

THE Construction Industry Federation (CIF) yesterday wrote to the Government claiming 55,000 jobs would be put at risk in the industry if reports were correct that capital investment was to be cut by €2 billion.

In the letters to Taoiseach Brian Cowen and Finance Minister Brian Lenihan, the CIF said infrastructure spending must be prioritised in next week’s budget.

It also published a 10-point economic plan aimed primarily at resuscitating the ailing construction industry. Among those points were: