SDLP Mid Ulster MLA Patsy McGlone said news of a skills shortage in the Northern Ireland's construction sector comes as little surprise given so many highly skills workers from the industry have emigrated in search of jobs.

While The Royal Institution for Chartered Surveyors (RICS) said the recovery in the construction industry is continuing, Mr McGlone said many of those needed to fill jobs on sites had left the country.

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Mr McGlone said: "In recent years, since the recession hit, we have watched communities across the North with a heavy dependence on the construction industry left reeling from the effects of the crash.

"Many towns and rural areas have been hit hard by what can be viewed as the near total collapse of the construction industry regionally. Consequently, scores of workers have been forced to leave their lives behind and start up elsewhere in Australia, Canada and England.

"They are earning a good wage now and it will be hard for many to relinquish that better and more secure wage, and better lifestyle given news today the average household disposable income in the North is up by £4 per week, but still half UK average.

"An extra £4 at the end of the week will not be enough to draw construction workers making good money abroad back home."

(CD)