'Crisis' in construction industry

Some companies in the industry said employment could fall by 45%

More than 8,000 construction jobs have been lost or are under threat due to the economic slowdown, the Construction Employers' Federation (CEF) has said.

A survey of 200 Northern Ireland housebuilders indicated 3,000 jobs had been lost in the 12 months to 20 June.

John Armstrong, CEF managing director, said on Monday the situation was at "crisis point".

"The magnitude of the slowdown and job losses in house building will impact on the industry's supply chain," he said.

Twelve of Northern Ireland's top 20 civil engineering employers said their total employment could fall by 45% if the Executive failed to accelerate the Investment Strategy for Northern Ireland (ISNI).

The CEF said that house builders were also facing stocks of unsold homes.

"We urge the executive to formulate a programme to encourage first-time buyers, stimulate socially-affordable housing projects and accelerate procurement of ISNI projects," said Mr Armstrong.

"This sector has been a major driver of growth over the past decade, to let it collapse now would take a generation to recover."