Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Forfás report on Ireland’s construction sector was published last July and presents an outlook for the sector to 2015, based on known and anticipated demands. The report includes a number of proposed actions aimed at generating more certainty in the domestic market, removing constraints and obstacles, and ensuring that the sector is equipped and capable of delivering innovative solutions in both domestic and overseas markets. Based on European comparisons and long-term trends for Ireland over the past 30 years, the Forfás report considers that it is plausible that Ireland could sustain a construction sector equivalent to approximately 12% of GNP, compared to 6.4% of GNP in 2013.

The Action Plan for Jobs also includes a suite of measures aimed at ensuring proper planning and sustainable development, supporting the expansion of construction firms into international markets, and strengthening public confidence in the sector. Among the measures that have been implemented are measures in the 2014 budget for home renovations and living cities; implementation of public private partnerships; the roll-out of the stimulus package, for example, the funding of the new children’s hospital; the decision of the IDA to construct buildings in 2014 in Waterford, Athlone and Letterkenny; the continuing work of NAMA to support recovery in the sector; and the active support of Enterprise Ireland for construction sector firms to improve technology and export capability. The Government is also making progress with 70 major school projects in 2014 and expanding the energy efficiency retrofit programme.

The Action Plan for Jobs outlines additional actions for the construction and property sector. In addition, the Government has committed to a new strategy for the construction sector, which will be published shortly.

A more detailed set of proposals will be available to the Deputy shortly.

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