Donegal building jobs 'at risk'

There has been a drop in new builds in Donegal

Hundreds of jobs are at risk in the construction trade in the Inishowen area, according to a building group.

There has been a 78% drop in the number of new homes being built in County Donegal compared to a year ago.

Builders have complained that developments have been held up because the water and sewage systems in Inishowen have not been upgraded.

Henry McKinney from Foyle Grange developments said his business had been hit with a variety of problems.

"No planning has been passed for multiple developments from Muff to Greencastle," he said.

"Some of the sub-contactors we employ will be let go from now on, they'll have nothing."

Last week, people associated with the building industry met in Buncrana and declared a vote of no confidence in Donegal County Council.

In a statement Donegal County Council said: "The issue of housing development was discussed at length at a meeting of the Inishowen Electoral Area Committee.

"The committee agreed to a request from the group recently formed to represent the developers, for a deputation to attend a meeting in September."

Mr McKinney said the council must sort out water and sewerage problems.

"There is 19m euro for water alone sitting in Dublin for Inishowen and it's still there, we need to sort this out."