Dáil debates

Thursday, 19 January 2023

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions

Construction Industry

10:40 am

Photo of Paschal DonohoePaschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am happy to emphasise the key points relating to the question that is on the Question Paper. My written response lays out the work that is under way to increase capacity within the construction sector. It looks at the work that is being led by the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Deputy Harris, through his Department. It makes reference to the construction sector group and the work that is under way to build investment there, and notes the work that is under way in the capital works management framework, looking at how we can better strengthen the role of the Office of Government Procurement to further increase the capacity of the construction sector in the time ahead.

Additional information not given on the floor of the House.

Developing construction sector capacity is a key priority of the Government to deliver on the projects outlined in the NDP, as published by my Department in 2021.

This is achieved through increasing the number of apprenticeships and upskilling and reskilling opportunities in order to boost construction sector capacity. The Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science has set out its vision in the Action Plan for Apprenticeship 2021–2025, which has an overall target of 10,000 apprenticeships per annum across all disciplines. In addition, comprehensive changes have already been made to the employment permit system, open to non-European Economic Area workers, which ensures that almost all occupations in the construction sector are now eligible for a general employment permit.

The promotion of careers in the construction sector amongst Leaving Cert students and college graduates is currently being actioned. This is delivered through actions in the Building Innovation Report set out by the Construction Sector Group, CSG, and is a joint effort with the key players of the construction sector and Government Departments. In addition, under Housing for All, an action plan to promote careers in construction will also be developed by Q2 this year and is being led by the Department for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science.

As I have indicated, we recognise the importance of apprenticeship as a key supply of talent into the construction sector and have continued to invest in training and apprenticeships, delivering supports to employers and making it easier for employers and apprentices to engage with the system. In 2022, almost 5,000 apprentices working across skills in the construction sector were registered.

The growing need for green skills in the construction sector is supported with a number of collaborative industry-focused educational and training opportunities now available. In total, over 4,500 retrofit and near zero energy building standard, NZEB, places and 60,000 green skills places are being provided with centres of excellence in Laois-Offaly, Waterford-Wexford and Limerick-Clare Education and Training Boards now in place. Centres of excellence will be opened shortly in Cork and Mayo-Sligo-Leitrim ETBs.

Driving productivity is also imperative to increasing construction capacity. The Construction Sector Group is working on seven actions to increase innovation and productivity of the sector. As part of this, my department has awarded a grant of €2.5 million to the establishment of the Build Digital Project led by TU Dublin and partners. The aim of the project will be to transform the Irish construction and built environment sectors by enabling all stakeholders, particularly SMEs, clients and suppliers, to develop, maintain and improve continuously their digital capabilities.

Another action has been the establishment of a Construction Technology Centre, known as Construct Innovate, which will be led by the University of Galway. The centre has been received funding of €5 million over five years from Enterprise Ireland. The centre will be a R&D centre of excellence for the construction industry.

Finally, I want to add that a Capital Works Management Framework review is ongoing by the Office of Government Procurement. This will look at setting minimum standards for the information necessary for each stage of a project's development and also looking at means to measure the performance of a project and its key actors during the course of its delivery and beyond into its operation and maintenance. Taken together, these initiatives will increase construction sector capacity in the period ahead.

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