Builders warn state spending cuts to hit 300,000 jobs

MORE than 300,000 jobs in the construction sector will have been lost in the space of four years due to a major reduction in state investment in capital projects.

The Construction Industry Federation (CIF) expressed concern that work on key infrastructure projects was set to decline significantly over the next 18 months due to a collapse in investment in transport, education, health, water and sewerage schemes.

The CIF warned the sector was in danger of losing thousands of skilled workers because of major cuts by the Government to target spending levels announced under the €184 billion National Development Programme 2007-2013.