Labour minister Michael Conaghan has announced that this budget includes a series of stimulus measures which will create badly needed jobs in the construction sector.

He also said there would be 10,000 new places introduced on employment programmes.

He said: "This budget sees €17bn committed to pay for big infrastructure projects - the development of DIT at Grangegorman and the Luas extension, as well as the future development of the National Children's Hospital at St. James's. Retro-fitting measures - €9 million to improve energy efficiency in public buildings and an Energy Efficiency Fund worth up to €70 million - developed by Minister Pat Rabbitte will create further jobs for unemployed construction workers.

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"Minister Joan Burton's commitment to create 10,000 new places on employment schemes will deliver for individuals, and for communities struggling with high unemployment. New places on Community Employment, JobBridge and a new Social Employment Scheme run by local authorities will help thousands of unemployed people develop the skills they need to secure full-time employment."

(CD/GK)