“It is about how we plan to solve the problem, and then we get everyone on board to agree on getting it done. Things are going in the right direction, but with a bit of common sense we can work to ensure that there will be affordable homes for the next generation of young people to live in.” 

 Simon O’Keeffe has taken over the CIF Cork chair from Kieran O’Donovan, managing surveyor at building contractors Murnane O’Shea. 

Mr O’Keeffe will highlight Ireland’s progress in housing development at tonight’s annual CIF Southern Region Dinner at Rochestown Park Hotel, Cork, sponsored by Unilin. 

In 2023, 32,696 residential units were built, up 10% on 2022, and up 60% on 2021. New apartments completed in 2023 totalled 11,642, up 28.0% from 2022.

Also in 2023, some 1,450 new student bed spaces were built. In terms of new residential units. December’s commencement figure of 3,167 was the highest figure for a December in over 15 years.

Some 32,801 units were commenced in 2023, up 21.68% on 2022 figures. This was followed by a 59.25% increase in January 2024 commencements versus January 2023.

“We are making progress, but it is a long road,” he said. “If I could change one thing, it would be to speed up the planning process. It is taking too long. We need to look at how objections are handled.

“Planning remains one of the most significant constraints to building out the National Development Plan in a timely and efficient manner. The length of time from project inception to execution is years and this means that the cost of carrying out projects inevitably changes.

“We must be more streamlined in our assessment process and our process of adjudicating on planning applications to accelerate the delivery of critically needed infrastructure and housing.

“We need a consistent interplay between business and the State. Housing is an issue that will not solve itself without Government help. The Government needs to be judicious, and to focus on the results.” 

 The CIF Cork annual dinner takes place against an upbeat mood in the sector. The CIF’s January barometer found that 80% of companies expect to maintain or increase turnover in the first quarter. The industry believes that is well-positioned to respond to the aims of the National Development Plan, Housing for All and the Climate Action Plan.

In terms of the construction labour force, employment in the sector remains static at 170,000. However, apprenticeships are now on the up at last, with 2023 seeing an increase in registrations of 20% on 2019 figures. This increase is attributable to a significant push by the construction sector, and government to encourage school leavers into the industry.

“If infrastructure is the skeleton upon which so much of our built environment rests, construction workers are its backbone,” says Simon. “Building a workforce for the future is key. The CIF greatly welcome Government initiatives such as the new Careers in Construction Action Plan and public campaign being implemented to encourage  more workers into the sector.” 

 Mr O’Keeffe — who  is a business consultant with Post Formed Systems  — is also well placed to comment on the benefits of off-site construction, which he sees as a significant opportunity for Irish construction, including off-site manufacturing of prefab housing.

 Post Formed Systems is a family-owned company founded in 1982. Under Managing Director Mark Connolly, the company specialises in manufacturing washrooms and medical plumbing ducts off-site for commercial construction developments. These are then fitted on-site, for a quicker, more cost-effective building solution. 

“With off-site production, you need people with experience and expertise, but we are well on the way with this in Ireland,” he said. “We have people who are becoming really expert in building prefabricated developments in factories.

“One benefit is that it is far better from a health and safety perspective when you don’t need to have 300 people working on a building site. But you do need people with experience and expertise in this area.” 

Mr O’Keeffe says that recruitment has been challenging for construction in Ireland in recent years. When Covid led to a slowdown in building, many people in the sector moved to work on projects in Australia, Canada and elsewhere.

He welcomes the Government’s overseas campaigns seeking to inspire people to return to Ireland to work in construction, engineering and other key sectors. He also welcomes the efforts made by UCC, MTU and the CETB to enhance the courses and training available to students looking to work in construction.

“Investment opportunities must not be lost by Cork for reasons which we can avoid, we must see the realisation of the Events Centre and the upgrade to the N25, we must keep moving forward and leading with the vision Cork has a history of demonstrating successfully. There is no time to be wasted,” he said.