A leading trade union has launched its own bid to help shore-up the ailing construction sector, which currently has more than 100,000 workers unemployed.

SIPTU, the largest trade union in Ireland, has demanded that the Dáil invests in the industry with a €5 billion package which they said could create 75,000 construction jobs.

The demand was presented at the centenary conference of SIPTU, in Tralee, Co Kerry.

Eric Fleming, SIPTU National Construction Organiser, called the Construction Industry Federation (CIF) to join with them to achieve an immediate injection of funds by the Government into the industry in crisis.

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"A €5 billion package would create around 70,000 jobs and we urge the CIF to jointly lobby the Government with us for this badly needed support for the industry," said Mr Fleming.

An spokesman from CIF said they welcomed the call from SIPTU and confirmed that will work together in relation to this critical issue.

"A crucial industry package is a crucial component of any attempt to reinvigorate the construction sector," he stated.

"The construction industry needs to be about sustaining the jobs that remain in the industry, while taking advantage of the opportunities that exist for job creation in the provision of vital public infrastructure, such as roads, schools and hospitals," he added.

Moreover, Fleming called for mortgage interest relief to be maintained for home owners and he also criticised the Minister for Education, Batt O'Keefe, over the shortfall of €112 million in this year's school building programme.

According to him, this Minister's action was "criminal neglect" because currently "thousands of construction workers are languishing at home without a livelihood".

Fleming told that SIPTU would try to mobilise thousands of construction workers to protest for a stimulus package to create "urgently needed jobs".

(CL/BMcC)