The High Court has granted a temporary injunction against subcontractors preventing them from blockading a number of sites in Co Carlow.

In recent days, subcontractors have mounted pickets at school sites in Carlow in protest at not being paid for equipment they have installed.

Irish company Sammon Group had been subcontracted to carry out building works at the sites, however the Group fell into administration months after the collapse of construction giant Carillion.

Fianna Fáil Senator, Jennifer Murnane O'Connor, has called upon the Government to increase its efforts to assist subcontractors impacted by the collapse of Sammon.

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"It's no surprise that Sammon sub-contractors felt the need to picket school sites here in Carlow when you consider they have essentially been abandoned by the Government," she said.

"These sub-contractors have carried out significant work and have been left high and dry without any payment. They face the very real possibility of going out of business unless they get paid for the work they have carried out.

"I understand the Government's priority is to complete the unfinished work at Tyndall College and Carlow College of Further Education. It's important that these facilities are open as soon as possible, but the Government can't be allowed to just forget about the sub-contractors impacted by the collapse of Sammon. These sub-contractors need to be paid for the work they have already carried out. This must be a top priority for the Government.

"I will be working with my Fianna Fáil colleagues to bring forward a Bill to ensure sub-contractors on State backed Public – Private Partnerships are never left high and dry like this again,"

(LM)