Urgent Government action is now required in the face of mounting job losses in the construction sector, according to the Labour Party Leader, Eamon Gilmore.

In response to the latest figures from the CSO on construction employment Mr Gilmore said the results "make for grim reading".

He said: "They confirm the pattern seen in previous months, and fit with economic forecasts that have been predicting a major decline in construction employment, as a result of falling numbers of houses being built.

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"These job losses are also reflected in the rising live register figures, which increased by 8,500 in February."

He said that he believed there is scope for some of these workers to find work in other forms of construction activity – provided that they have the relevant skills.

However, for others, Mr Gilmore said the prospects of finding a new job outside construction will depend crucially on their being able to access relevant training.

He said: "What is required is a major programme of training and up-skilling for these workers. If we are to avoid people slipping into long-term unemployment, then we must act now to address their skills and training needs.

"What is required is co-ordinated action across a number of Departments and Agencies, focused on ensuring that people coming off construction sites are offered, and can avail of, a range of educational and training opportunities," he added.

(VB/JM)