THE BLACK economy has resurfaced in the construction industry, according to John Graby, director of the Royal Institute of Architects of Ireland.

He said yesterday that though architects never handle clients’ money they were seeing a definite increase in the black economy with cash passing between client and builders.

Graby is now pressing the Government to give a VAT amnesty to builders for smaller projects designed by registered architects which would mean that there would be no incentive to avoid paying tax and no benefit to those who choose to break the law.

The collapse of the property market has naturally had a serious impact on earnings by architects. Around 60 per cent of all practitioners are now earning less than €45,000 per annum while the number making less than €20,000 has doubled to 25 per cent.