Unemployed locals plead for project jobs

UNEMPLOYED Northside construction workers are pleading for jobs that will become available when a housing project begins in their area soon.

Last month, Northside People reported that $7.9 million in Government funding is to be provided for 35 new houses to be built at Lower Buttercup Estate, Darndale.

Seamus Grant, from the Glin area of Coolock, has been working in the construction industry for more than 20 years but has been unemployed for the last five following the sector’s collapse.

Mr Grant, a general operative, is urging the builder who successfully tenders for the project not to overlook him and his unemployed colleagues who live in the area.

“It would be terrible to walk by a site every morning knowing that we have the skills to do the job as good as anybody,

? Mr Grant told Northside People.

“I’ve been out of work too long and I’m sick and tired of it. Myself and the other lads have worked for some of the biggest companies in the industry.

“A lot of the unemployed builders in the area have young families and are trying to pay their mortgages. We’re asking the builder who wins the tender to give us some work.

“We’d be hoping that whoever wins the contract would employ at least 15-20 per cent of local people for the project.

“We would only be looking for a commitment for this particular project with no obligation on the builder to employ us after that.

“There would be a lot of annoyance if locals didn’t get work on the project.

?

Mr Grant said that he and his friends have all the necessary skills built up over many years.

“We have everything that’s needed,

? he stated.

“There are brickies, scaffolders, general operatives and forklift drivers among us.

?

Mr Grant pointed out that if the builder who successfully tenders for the project were to employ local people, there would be

“less security issues

? on the site for its duration.

“From my own experience, when local lads are employed on a project, they know the kids in the area and there is less chance of anti-social behaviour that might occur,

? he said.

“It’s a win-win situation for everybody – ourselves, the builder and the local economy because there would be a bit of money to spend at last in local shops and businesses.

?

Mr Grant added:

“There is a lot of unemployment in this area and people are getting angrier and angrier with the way the economy has gone. A lot of them simply can’t afford to pay their bills.

?

Local councillor Larry O’ Toole (SF), who met with the men last week, called for them to be given an opportunity to work on the project.

“I am urging Dublin City Council to discuss with the successful tenders the possibility of providing local employment on the refurbishment works, which hopefully will commence later this year,

? said Cllr O’Toole.

“I have been approached by a number of tradesmen and general building workers in the area who would welcome the opportunity to gain employment on the development.

“I also call on local TD and Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Richard Bruton, to look at ways of ensuring local employment in this instance.

?

A spokeswoman for Dublin City Council said it welcomed the recent announcement that funding would be provided for the 35 new housing units.

“The city council will endeavour to accrue the maximum benefit from this project for the local community,

? she told Northside People.