BY ENDA CUNNINGHAM

Work on the construction of five new buildings on the NUI Galway campus – worth around €75 million – is set to restart, after the sites were shut down more than a year ago.

Around 300 workers lost their jobs in four projects on the campus in November 2010, when receivers were appointed to Michael McNamara Construction. Since then, college authorities have been attempting to get the major construction projects back on track.

This week, it was announced that Galway-based contractor JJ Rhatigan has been awarded the contract for the completion of four of the projects, with BAM Building taking over a single project.

The projects will see around 400 people employed on the sites during construction, which will be completed on a phased basis from the end of this year into early next year.

Vice-President for Capital Projects, Keith Warnock said: “The University will play its part in revitalising the economy and bringing much-needed jobs to the construction sector. We are investing in world-class facilities for our students. At present, we are investing €0.75 million per week in developing our campus so that we can offer students a learning environment that is second to none.”

For more on this story, see the Galway City Tribune.