Trade unions have proposed a €3 billion investment programme over each of the next three years aimed at generating nearly 100,000 jobs.
In a plan published yesterday, the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (Ictu) said the cost of the investment programme in infrastructure would be organised in such a way that it would be kept off the State’s balance sheet.
The funding could come from the National Pension Reserve Fund, incentivised investment by Irish pension funds through exemption from the pension fund levy, co-financing of projects with the European Investment Bank and co-financing with commercial State companies.
Areas to invest in included broadband, retrofitting of buildings for energy efficiency, public transport, health and education facilities and roads.