The Irish construction industry is continuing to race ahead, but quantity surveyors warn tender levels are rising too fast. Quantity surveyors Patterson Kempster and Shortall (PKS) has revised its growth predictions for the construction industry up to 8 per cent in volume this year. Its previous estimate in January was for growth of 6 per cent.

Mr Michael Webb, managing partner at PKS, said tender levels are rising at an "alarming rate". He is calling on the Minister for Finance, Mr McCreevy, to slow down the pace of Government investment in construction and to reschedule EU structural funds to the years 2000-2005.

He said apprenticeship training has been put under pressure and the strength of the economy is generating more than sufficient private sector investment.