Construction still shrinking

MikeDwane
EMPLOYMENT in the local construction sector is only a third of what it was in 2007 while output in 2011 was only a fifth of peak levels before the crash, according to the Industry Construction Federation. And members of the CIF Mid-West branch have been told at a regional briefing that the downward trend is likely to continue in 2012. housing With development in freefall, the builders lobby had hoped that state projects would provide a shot-inthe-arm to the industry. But with the Limerick Tunnel and M7 complete, the M20 Cork to Limerick has been motorway shelved and the rate of housebuilding under the Limerick Regeneration programme is nothing like the builders had anticipated. According to a CIF spokesman, the regional heard that meeting output "construction could fall as low as 420 million in the MidWest this year". "This compares to a 2.6 construction billion output enjoyed in the region during the peak of construction activity
7,000 approximately people now work (directly) in construction compared to 19,600 in

in 2006 and 560 million in 2011." Mid-West, "In the

Figures relating housebuilding according to the particularly stark, 897 completions in

2007."

with the year Mid-West last compared to 7,166 in 2006. And there were only 388

are, CIF,

to

housing commencements last year in comparison to over 5500 in 2006 most of these one-off developments.

CIF director general Tom Parlon is to lead a delegation to meet Martin Fraser, secretary general of the Department of the Taoiseach, on proposals to revive the sector. "There is no doubt that this is a very difficult time for Irish construction in the Midcompanies West and all around the country," said Mr Parlon. Among the issues raised at the Limerick meeting was "improving competitiveness" through a review of pay rates in the sector. Members were also briefed on the Construction Contracts Bill, a piece of legislation that is soon to come before the Dail.