Date 03 June 2014

Page 37






























































Copyright NLA Media Access. For internal use only. Not for reproduction.
Builders
all set to
hire staff
By GARY MENEELY
HOUSE about that! More
than half of Irish construc-
tion companies expect
business to grow this year.
Three out of four build-
ing firms have pledged to
take on extra staff if they
increase revenue.
According to the latest
Construction Confidence
Index, prepared by the
Construction Industry Fed-
eration, 77 per cent of
companies say the number
of their employees has
grown or stayed the same
compared to the same per-
iod last year.
The quarterly survey of
Irish construction com-
panies also found 81 per
cent are currently engaged
in onsite construction activ-
ity and 43 per cent have
seen an increase in activ-
ity compared to the same
period last year.
Speaking about the sur-
vey, CIF Director General
Tom Parlon said: The
overall trend in the indus-
try is positive and it shows
that our sector is slowly
getting back on its feet.
Seeing that more than
half of Irish construction
companies expect their
business to grow this year
shows how much the busi-
ness climate has changed
in the last year.
Another positive sign is
so many firms will be look-
ing to create more jobs
and hire additional staff if
their business grows.
The quickest way of cre-
ating jobs and reducing
the numbers of unem-
ployed is to grow construc-
tion sector activity.
But for all the positive
information in the survey
you also have to take note
of some of the more nega-
tive sentiment in parts of
the construction industry.
It is a concern that 29
per cent have experienced
a decrease in activity over
the last 12 months.
TREND . . . Parlon