Martin Ferris (Kerry North, Sinn Fein)
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Question 66: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his plans to provide alternative employment for vulnerable workers in the construction sector when this sector takes a downturn in the coming years. [18804/07]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Over the last ten years, Ireland has experienced exceptional growth which has seen our economy almost double in size. The construction sector has played, and continues to play, a very significant role in this success. The sector, which remains the largest industry in the Irish economy, is likely to continue to be strategic to our economic growth. Recent projections from the Central Statistics Office estimate a national population of up to five million by the year 2020. Even accommodating another one million people by then will require building activity to continue at levels similar to those of recent years. In the meantime, should construction workers become unemployed or if they wish to consider alternative employment, the full range of services provided by the Industrial Training agency FÁS will be available to assist them.