The 2024 housing completion figure of 30,330 residential units was significantly below expectations. There is a growing sense of concern and frustration with all housebuilders, as they attempt to scale up to deliver much-needed housing for Ireland.
In a recent Irish Home Builders’ Association (IHBA) member survey, a significant number of housebuilders stated that they do not expect to increase output this year due to a reduction in the number of viable planning permissions, serviced land, infrastructure, funding for apartments or delays in technical or regulatory issues at local authority level.
Many initiatives have been put in place in recent years that have helped to increase supply considerably. However, we are now at a crossroads with supply side initiatives. To scale up delivery, we need more zoned serviced and serviceable lands and a more effective planning delivery system, in addition to funding mechanisms.
We recently make a submission to the new government, ‘Interventions to Increase Housing Supply’. We have emphasised that expediting housing supply needs to be treated as an emergency and funded accordingly. This includes:
• Accelerating capital allocation for approved housing body cost rental and social housing schemes
• Providing ringfenced funds of an extra €500m per annum to fund water and wastewater infrastructure
• Expediting the planning applications currently delayed
• Enabling all lands currently zoned or in expired local area plans, or recently rezoned to deliver housing
• Introducing legislation to extend the duration of existing planning permissions on a time-limited basis
• Rewarding local authorities for being proactive and achieving their housing delivery targets
• Establishing the Strategic Housing and Infrastructure Delivery Office
The new government inherits the progress of recent years but faces a significantly escalating challenge. Addressing the housing crisis will require more than continuity. It demands courageous, progressive policymaking and a step change in delivery.
To meet the scale of need, this government must be ambitious in its reforms, unlock systemic barriers, and commit to facilitating large-scale, high-volume delivery to meet housing targets.
Our homebuilding conference (April 8) brings together homebuilders, developers, contractors, policy makers and experts to discuss ‘Building the right foundations for increased housing delivery…how do we deliver 300,000 new homes by 2030?’
To find out more visit housebuildingsummit.com.
Construction Industry Register Ireland (CIRI)
CIF’s work as registration body for Construction Industry Register Ireland (CIRI) is progressing well. The launch of the initial register divisions may take place in late 2025 and is expected to focus on large providers of residential accommodation.
The CIRI Admissions and Registration Board has also recently completed its recommendations on the proposed categories and divisions for the register. Determination of the associated competencies and eligibility requirements in relation to knowledge, skill and expertise is still in progress.
The development of the online registration application for the register is continuing, with the first full phase of testing expected in Q2. CIRI Registrar, Dr Sarah Ingle, will speak at our upcoming housebuilding conference on the ‘Statutory Register for Providers of Building Works in Ireland’, a valuable session for homebuilders and contractors interested in gaining a deeper understanding of the register and its implications.
International Women’s Day
The April edition of Construction also includes a special report on our International Women’s Day Summit. Over 650 attended the event in Johnstown Estate with hundreds more viewing online. Alongside this, as part of our 90th anniversary initiatives, we have spotlighted over one hundred women shaping Ireland’s build environment.
Visit cif.ie/women-in-construction to read about these remarkable female leaders in our industry.
Construction is a progressive industry, and we need to attract the best talent to deliver on our work. We must ensure that the industry welcomes and appeals to women, and that diversity grows as an important cornerstone of our sector.
Thank you to the companies that provided generous sponsorship to make our International Women’s Day Summit possible, to our keynote speakers and panellists, to event lead, Gillian Murtagh, Chair of CIF’s ESG Sub Committee on Diversity, and importantly, all attendees for their participation and enthusiasm on the day.
