Housing and renewable energy remain key focus for Cork businesses amid election season

“Cork needs to produce at least 7,500-10,000 units per year to keep pace with demand,” the report said.

There has been some improvement in this area, as a leading purchasing managers index by BNP Paribas Real Estate found that, during the first three months of the year, there were twice as many residential dwelling commencements, about 12,000, as completions, at just under 6,000. This is a dramatic reversal of last year's figures, as the number of residential dwellings under construction dipped last year as completions had been outstripping new starts.

Cork Chamber’s call for renewed focus on tackling the housing crisis during this election period echoes sentiments in a recent report by property website MyHome.ie.

Housing failures are set to be at the front of voters’ minds this year, with European election and local elections scheduled in the upcoming weeks, while a general election looks likely to take place before the end of the year.

“Taoiseach Simon Harris has pledged to build 250,000 homes by 2030, but after a decade of insufficient construction activity, it is perhaps understandable that people are wary of the Government’s promise to deliver the amount of new homes we need to properly address our supply issues,” said Joanne Geary, managing director of MyHome.ie.

Meanwhile, Cork Chamber also urged politicians running to form a coherent plan for Cork to “capture the full value of offshore renewables”.

The planning system has caused headaches for the development of the renewable energy sector in the Republic in recent years and is usually highlighted as the main barrier to growth in this space, but Cork Chamber suggested there was an opportunity for candidates to work to improve other parts of the sector, including supply chain operations and infrastructure investment.

“While Cork is well-positioned to seize these renewable energy opportunities, additional enablers need to be realised to ensure Cork fully benefits from the offshore renewable energy (ORE) opportunity,” the report said.

“Integral to this is advocating for Port of Cork funding to build the critical infrastructure to support sector,” it added.

The manifesto was published days after it emerged family-owned logistics firm Doyle Shipping Group axed the multi-million euro plan to redevelop Cork Harbour dockyard for the development of offshore wind farms.

The manifesto highlighted eight key areas Cork Chamber said should be priorities for those running in elections this year. 

In addition to tackling the housing crisis and growing the renewable energy sector, the organisation said urban evolution, talent and skills, sustainability and becoming a climate neutral city, infrastructure and connectivity, supporting local business and planning reform should all be at the fore of political agendas this year.

However, while the economic environment in Ireland remains largely healthy, evident in robust exchequer returns even with a fall in corporation tax receipts, persistent challenges remain in various sectors.

For example, Ireland is currently experiencing record low unemployment as well as an increase in wage demands amid a cost-of-living crisis, creating an employee-led labour market.

Cork Chamber also said candidates and voters should support a pro-business environment by “being conscious of the impact policy decisions have on SMEs and promote policies that ease the burden on smaller businesses”. 

“In 2024, running for election requires candidates that are ambitious for the region. We need representatives that have a very clear understanding of the pressing policy issues that are impacting Cork, Ireland South and Ireland,” said Conor Healy, Cork Chamber chief executive.

Cork Chamber is the leading business organisation in the south of Ireland and represents the interests of almost 1,200 businesses, employing over 120,000 people across the region.

Founded in 1819, Cork Chamber is one of Ireland’s largest and longest established chambers.