Fine Gael is urging young people to choose a career in construction.

CSO figures indicate that employment in the construction sector has begun to increase.

Fine Gael Cork North Central Senator, Colm Burke, said the economy is expected to grow by 3% this year and up to 4% in 2015.

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Mr Burke said: "Nobody wants to see a return to the boom and bust cycle in construction. However, it is important to note that with a normal recovery, it is quite possible that the number of people employed in the construction sector will increase by 50,000 over the next three years.

"One of the consequences of the collapse of construction was a collapse in the uptake of construction- related courses at college and a dramatic decline in the number of young people starting construction- related apprenticeships."

(CD)