Introduction

The Irish economy depends on a thriving, dynamic and innovative construction industry.  Most Government strategies such as Project Ireland 2040, the national development programme, Rebuilding Ireland, the government’s housing strategy and the recent Climate Action Plan are all contingent on the construction industry’s capacity, adaptability and innovativeness.

What are the barriers impacting on the industry’s ability to deliver on these ambitious strategies?  With an acute housing shortage and significant infrastructure deficits, what policies and practices have to change within the construction ecosystem to release this industry’s huge potential to positively shape Ireland’s economic future?  

Recovering from a dramatic decline and now back on a strong growth trajectory, the construction sector will be a key job creator over the next decade and beyond. The industry and Government must ensure that the hard won recovery is sustainable to avoid the boom/bust cycles that have bedevilled construction in the past.

Some clouds are gathering: Brexit looming large with the increased risk of a hard Brexit; The continuing skills shortage in the industry; Addressing diversity, equality and inclusion in the workforce; Recalibrating the planning system to be more efficient; Investment priorities to achieve balanced regional development; Improving the public sector procurement system and ensuring there is adequate funding in the industry.

These are some of the issues we’ll be exploring at our 2019 annual conference, the CIF’s flagship event attracting more than 500 delegates from our membership who operate both nationally and internationally, as well as the range of other stakeholders in the industry.

Join contractors, home-builders, planners, engineers, investors and suppliers at this 1-day annual conference as we explore the key issues we need to address in order to grow our industry in a profitable and sustainable way.