Johnny Guirke (Meath West, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

491. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the amount spent in the past five years on advertising campaigns to encourage Irish emigrants to return home, by year, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60729/25]

James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Ireland needs people with construction skills and experience to help deliver on ambitious targets for new housing and infrastructure. The National Development Plan outlines a record €275.4 billion in public capital investment, aiming to secure Ireland's future, to transform the country, unlock housing, upgrade water and energy infrastructure, deliver more roads, and provide better public transport.

Construction workers are in demand, and there are lots of opportunities for Irish construction workers who have moved abroad and are considering returning. Between now and 2030, Ireland needs between 69,000 -79,000 additional construction sector workers to help deliver on ambitious targets for residential construction and retrofitting targets alone.

My Department is leading on a number of communication initiatives to address the skills gap in construction, including a campaign aimed at Irish construction workers abroad who are considering returning home.

The Build Back Home campaign was developed following research which included feedback from Irish construction workers abroad, that skills they developed abroad may not be valued at home.

The campaign ran for two weeks in October 2024 in Canada and Australia, and will run for seven weeks this October and November, across Canada, Australia and the US. Spend per year is detailed below. To note, 2025 spend will be finalised on campaign completion.

Funding for the campaign is provided by the Department of the Taoiseach under the Housing for All Implementation Fund.

Latest analytics show strong engagement with the campaign. The Build Back Home website has more than 68,750 visits, 95% of which are from North America, Canada and Australia.