Jobs in construction in Ireland will be created by plans to invest millions of euros in road repairs.

This is according to the country's transport, tourism and sport minister Leo Varadkar, who explained an ambitious program of investment in the nation's highways is expected to generate local jobs in many areas, the Irish Times reports.

He explained the road maintenance and repair initiative is intended to employ people in Ireland, adding: "A lot of the roads around the country are in a terrible mess".

According to the news source, funds are being diverted to travel and transport in order to boost tourism in Ireland and Dr Varadkar insists his department will be contributing "a number of very positive measures" to the government's forthcoming jobs scheme.

He added the possibility of scrapping the travel tax and cutting airport levies is being discussed with carriers and the Dublin Airport Authority in order to increase visitors.

Recent figures from the Central Statistical Office showed the standardized unemployment rate in Ireland stood at 14.7 per cent in March 2011, the same level recorded in February.

Posted by Alex Donnell