Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Tuesday, 24 May 2022

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government

Construction Costs in Housing: Discussion

Mr. Kevin James:

From the society's perspective, we have seen a huge initiative across the industry to attract women into construction. There have been many positive steps and we are looking at the results and why. From the ground up one looks at trying to attract them. It starts at a very early age in school. Sometimes we wait until after university or until they are at an age where their mindset is somewhere else, so there have to be plans. We are in that space at present. We are trying to get into schools early. It is to educate parents as well because parents give guidance to their children about where there is a viable career, whether that is in the construction sector in terms of being on the tools or on the consultancy side. We have to change the perception in the market by making the industry more attractive. We have made massive strides in the last few years with innovation, technology and modern methods of construction. From coming out of the recession we have been working with the construction sector group. Look at what we are trying to with the centre for excellence. All those are moving in the right direction. It is just that we are trying to bring forward some of the answers quicker and it is going to take time. We just need to keep our eye on what are the medium-term and long-term objectives and how we are going to get there.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.