Press release
Minister McGrath publishes the Build 2022 report
From Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform
Published on
Last updated on
The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Michael McGrath T.D., has today, Thursday, 14th July, published the Build 2022: Construction Sector Performance and Capacity. .
The construction sector has faced significant challenges over the course of the last two years related to COVID-19 restrictions, subsequent inflationary pressures associated with pent-up demand as economic activity rebounded and the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and supply chain disruptions. Due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, significant increases in the prices of both fuel and energy have been observed this year. As a result, energy costs associated with construction have increased.
These challenges are likely to remain for the remainder of 2022. Project Ireland 2040 necessitates a competitive, dynamic and sustainable construction sector capable of delivering new social, economic and climate resilient infrastructure. To achieve this outcome, we must continue to foster an innovative and sustainable construction sector environment.
This Build 2022 report, through its analysis of the available data and information, gathered from relevant stakeholders in the construction and built environment, has outlined a number of key findings in the area of costs, skills, productivity, sustainability, investment, and output. The challenges and risks facing the construction sector are also highlighted, including a number of initiatives being taken by the private and the public sector in order to increase skills, productivity and sustainability.
Minister McGrath, praised the report saying that:
“It contributes to the evidence base to inform Government and the construction sector on the performance of the construction sector at a crucial time”.
The Minister also added that the interviews and case studies with key stakeholders of the industry shows the collaboration between the private and public sector, which is vital to delivering on the priorities outlined in the National Development Plan 2021 – 2030.
Notes for Editors:
Project Ireland 2040
Project Ireland 2040 is the Government’s long-term overarching strategy to make Ireland a better country for all its people. The plan changes how investment is made in public infrastructure in Ireland, moving away from the approach of the past, which saw public investment spread too thinly and investment decisions that did not align with a well-thought-out and defined strategy. Alongside the development of physical infrastructure, Project Ireland 2040 supports business and communities across all of Ireland in realising their potential.
The National Development Plan 2021 - 2030 sets out Departmental allocations to 2025 and a total public investment of €165 billion over the period 2021-2030. The revised NDP brings public investment to 5 per cent of GNI*, well above the recent EU average of 3 per cent of GDP. It is estimated that an annual average of up to approximately 47,000 direct and 33,000 indirect construction jobs will be sustained by the investment over the course of the NDP.
The Construction Sector Group (CSG)
The Construction Sector Group (CSG) Construction Sector Group (CSG) was established in 2018 in order to ensure regular and open dialogue between Government and the construction sector. The group meets once a quarter. The industry bodies represented are:
The BUILD 2022 report will form an important source of evidence to inform the work of the CSG and the CSG’s Innovation and Digital Adoption Sub-Group. The CSG supports collaboration between the public and the private sectors. It strives to alleviate some of the key challenges faced in the construction sector, increase efficiency and digital adoption.
The CSG operates under the Transparency Code, with all meeting agendas and minutes published online at gov.ie
ENDS