The Construction Industry Federation (CIF) has said a jump of over 13,000 construction jobs, from Q4 2013 to Q4 2014, is a clear signal of the growth in the industry. The latest CSO Quarterly National Household Survey shows that 116,700 people are now working in the sector, which is an increase of 13,100 on the same period last year. Tom Parlon, CIF director general, described the increase as a positive sign for the industry. "It is great to see further growth in the number of construction jobs being created.  It is not only very positive for the industry but it is also extremely beneficial to the wider economy.  Former construction workers still make up the largest group on the live register. An increase in the number of people in construction jobs will help reduce that number,” he said. "The industry has been saying for several years now that as soon as there was a pickup in activity then there would be a strong increase in the number of construction jobs.  Construction is a very labour intensive activity and it represents the quickest way of moving people from the unemployment lines to paid employment. "The latest figures are a clear sign of growth in the construction industry.  Our expectation is that there will be even more positive figures to come over the next few years," Parlon concluded.