Naoise Ó Muirí (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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266. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills to provide an outline of the key measures in the Careers in Construction Action Plan that will promote housing construction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22094/26]

Marian Harkin (Sligo-Leitrim, Independent)
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I would like to thank Deputy Ó Muirí for his interest in the Careers in Construction Action Plan. I was delighted to launch the update to the plan in January.

Delivering homes and infrastructure requires more than bricks and mortar, it requires people. It is clear we need to attract more people into the construction sector to meet our housing and infrastructural goals.

Following the publication of the original Careers in Construction Action Plan, we have seen increases in the construction workforce, more women in the sector and greater interest from second-level students via CAO First Preferences.

Although trends are moving in the right direction, more needs to be done to attract new entrants and converts to construction-related careers.

My Department has worked with industry partners, professional bodies, and training providers to develop the Updated Careers in Construction Action Plan. The Updated Plan focuses on

• Widening Participation
• Education, Training & Upskilling, and
• Promotional Activity.