Construction industry predicts 10,000 job losses

Up to 10,000 jobs are likely to be lost in the construction industry this year, according to the Construction Industry Federation (CIF).

The organisation estimates that volume of output will fall by 4% this year, which is equivalent to the loss of €800m worth of work.

Dan O'Sullivan of CIF said that the Government should use the lull in the industry to press ahead with the National Development plan.

"The Government should take the opportunity to put into place the infrastructure that is needed to underpin future economic growth.

"Unless that happens, we won't get renewed growth and if we don't get renewed growth we will continue to have a decline in construction," he said.