The European Commission has announced proposals that if passed, will make significant funds available to help unemployed construction workers across Ireland back into work.

The plan will see Ireland receive €35m from the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund (EGF) to help 5,987 redundant construction workers across Ireland.

The money has been requested through three applications and will now be presented to the European Parliament and the EU’s Council of Ministers for their approval.

It is hoped that the money can be used to help ex-employees from over 3,500 small enterprises.

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The application comes after more than 9,000 redundancies from small and medium sized enterprises operating in the construction sector. The dismissals were a direct consequence of the financial and economic crisis.

Of these 9,000 redundancies it is the 5,987 people who are finding it most difficult to get back into employment that will be targeted for assistance.

It is understood that the funding will be set aside for occupational guidance, training programmes, enterprise/self-employment supports, and training allowances and income supports.

Laszlo Andor, EU Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion said:"The support and training the EGF can provide to the Irish workers will help them and allow a smooth transition to a new job. Construction in Europe, particularly in Ireland, has plummeted and its workers are facing huge difficulties in finding new opportunities."

The EGF has been asked to provide €35.7m but the total coast of the package is estimated at €55m.

(LB/BMcC)