Signalling a massive escalation in the Grangegorman health and education campus project, An Taoiseach, Enda Kenny T.D, today turned the sod on the 'Site Infrastructure and Public Realm' contract.

The €26 million contract, which has been awarded to Roadbridge Ltd by the Grangegorman Development Agency, sees over 200 construction workers on site, providing the underpinning services that will enable the build out of the new development.

The Taoiseach said the project would be transformative for Dublin's inner city in terms of higher education, health, community and enterprise. The project, which has the support of the European Investment Bank, is the biggest development of its kind in any European capital city.

Mr Kenny said: "The Grangegorman Project is a key capital development in the Government's Jobs Stimulus Plan. The future of the Irish economy is in enterprise and innovation and the development of Grangegorman fits perfectly with that goal. In the development of the site, 300 construction jobs will be created which will provide a boost for some of those who were hit the hardest when the construction bubble burst and 20% of these are earmarked for people from the local area."

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He continue: "In tandem with the Luas Cross City project this should be a really positive development for the north inner city in Dublin. The Government's top priority is getting people back to work and we will continue to pursue relentlessly every opportunity to create jobs and build economic recovery."

In addition to launching the SIPR contract, the Taoiseach also announced today that a further 100 construction industry jobs will come on stream in Grangegorman shortly, as three further contracts commence. These are being carried out by Irish contractors JJ Rhatigans & Company, Bourke Builders and Purcell Construction Ltd. Between now and 2017 it is estimated that a total of 3,500 construction jobs will be created on the Grangegorman project.

The Grangegorman Development Agency has put in place a Local Employment Charter which aims to provide 20% of new jobs to local people.

Commenting on the Charter, the Chairman of the Grangegorman Development Agency, Mr John Monahan said: "This is hugely significant for the north inner city of Dublin and is just one of the ways in which the overall Grangegorman project will be a vehicle for the urban regeneration of this part of the city.

"The Grangegorman project is about developing a sustainable and open new urban quarter for Dublin City. It has health, education and community at its heart. However, it will also have a transformative effect and will drive the regeneration of this area."

(CD/MH)