CIF welcome budget spend, but warn of skills shortage

THE Construction Industry Federation of Ireland (CIF) say it welcomes recent budget announcements to make €2.3 billion available under the housing package. A 24 per cent increase in capital infrastructure funding was also roundly welcomed by the CIF, who say it sends a positive message in trying to cope with the prevailing housing crisis.

The CIF also want greater coordination between the construction industry and government in three key areas: investing in skills, enhancing infrastructure delivery and removing barriers to sustainable housing delivery. It is in favour of plans to give Local Authorities more flexibility when it comes to building houses.

But the decrease in the number of skilled trades and craft people coming through the education and training system is still a worry. CIF have long advocated more investment in young people seeking trades due to a shortfall in skilled tradespeople since the economic collapse of 2011.

It cited a DIT survey carried out earlier this year which showed 94% of large construction companies reported a lack of sufficiently skilled tradespeople in the market. Moreover, it said the apprenticeship model was ‘broken’ given that more tradespeople will be required to meet demands for an increase in housing supply.

The CIF also want the government to reinforce the Housebuilding Finance Ireland fund to give regional housebuilders, outside of Dublin, more capacity to develop and meet construction demands.