The potential growth in the construction industry is being exasperated by government failure, Sinn Féin has claimed.

Meath West TD Peadar Tóibín questioned the Jobs Minister on the myriad of challenges facing the construction sector, all of which has an impact on Ireland's competitiveness.

He said: "Spiralling house prices, glacial supply side solutions, increased industrial unrest and falling wages are all undermining the potential growth of the construction industry and its accompanying job creation. Ultimately this failure will damage Ireland's competitiveness.

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"My exchange with Richard Bruton in the Dáil provided further evidence of the lack of joined up thinking amongst government Ministers. Rapidly rising houses prices in urban centres due to a lack of supply into the market has a direct impact on the expansion of existing businesses and entry of new enterprise into Ireland. There is little point seeking out foreign investment if we then price ourselves out of the commercial and residential markets.

"Growing industrial unrest across the construction sector is becoming a real problem and the sharpest practices by employers are happening right under the government's nose. There are widely reported abuses of the Relevant Contract Tax system, the national minimum wage and construction sector rates of pay on publicly funded construction projects."

(CD/JP)