Ireland is well-placed to benefit from the new construction sector action plan launched today by the EU in Brussels, Dublin Labour MEP Emer Costello has said, pointing out that the full achievement of the targets of the new energy performance of buildings directive could create up to 10,000 jobs in Ireland.

"Construction is a crucial sector for the European economy, generating almost 10% of EU GDP and providing 20 million jobs. The financial and economic crisis has lead to a decline in construction activity by 17% between 2008 and April 2012. Ireland is one of the country's most affected, with last week's CSO report putting the unemployment rate among construction workers at over 60% in April 2011.

"While the EU still has some way to go in developing a growth agenda, I do see this action plan as a step in the right direction. I particularly welcome the plans to promoting employment in the construction sector and growth in the wider economy by using part of the €120 billion 'Pact for Growth and Employment' agreed at the June European Summit to fund the renovation of buildings and infrastructure maintenance.

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"Pat Rabbitte TD, the Minister for Energy, has already enacted into Irish law the 2010 EU energy performance of buildings directive. This commits Ireland to ensuring that all new buildings occupied and owned by public authorities are 'nearly zero-energy buildings'* by December 2018 and all new buildings are nearly zero-energy by December 2020. The EU estimates that achieving these targets would create up to one million new jobs across Europe between 2010 and 2020. This would equate to 10,000 new jobs in Ireland.

"This Government is developing a good track record in making maximum use of innovative EU financial instruments such as the European Investment Bank with EIB loans already agreed to partly-fund the school buildings programme and the €2.25 billion infrastructure stimulus package announced by the Government on 17 July, which the Government estimates will generate 13,000 jobs.

"I believe we are now well-placed to make full use of the opportunities presented by this new construction action plan."

(CD)