Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael)
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244. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government his views on the shortage of available workers in the housing industry; his proposals to deal with this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46385/22]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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The Labour Demand Estimates for Ireland’s National Housing targets, 2021 – 2030 Report estimated that total labour demand from housing construction will need to rise from approximately 40,000 full time equivalent workers at present, to 67,500 workers by the middle of the decade, to achieve an annual average of 33,000 homes over the decade. As the backlog of housing output has built up, a further increase, possibly up to 80,000 workers may be necessary.

This expansion of the workforce is a trend that will continue through continuing attraction and retention of those with the necessary pre-existing skills and the provision of new training opportunities for those interested in a career in the construction sector.

The Department of Further and Higher Education Research Innovation and Science (DFHERIS), and its agency, SOLAS, are delivering an integrated education and training sector response to these skills requirements through SOLAS’ Strategy for Construction Services. Critical to the sector is the replenishment of fundamental skillsets.

Housing for All makes the following commitments in relation to Skills & Capacity in housing policy objective 17:

- up-to-date forecast of labour demand and supply for the construction sector implementing the policies necessary to fast-track sufficient numbers into the residential construction workforce. Such policies may include, but are not limited to:

-an integrated education, training and activation response, including delivery of new courses and apprenticeships etc

-working with Industry (through the Construction Sector Group) to review and promote the attractiveness of careers in the construction sector.

- recourse to international labour markets where supply is unavailable locally, including facilitating recruitment from abroad and changes

- employment permit schemes where necessary

- encouraging participation in the Irish market by international construction firms and builders

Responsibility for delivery of the above actions rests with DFHERIS and the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (DETE).

Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) also has the potential to help boost productivity and increase efficiency, and avoid waste, in the construction sector. The co-ordination of activities to promote MMC adoption is being led by DETE through an interdepartmental MMC Leadership and Integration Group.

This Group will ensure the cohesive integration and co-ordination of the various government supported MMC-relevant initiatives – to support innovation in the construction industry.

My Department continues to engage with the relevant Government bodies and stakeholders to deliver these and related actions to deliver the skills needed and support productivity in the residential construction sector.