South West being left behind: CIF

THE Construction Industry Federation says that a slowdown and delays in state investment in the south west is threatening growth across the entire region.

The CIF has warning that the slowdown in investment and delays to key infrastructure projects threatens growth in region in the next five years.

In a CIF member survey 75% of respondents in the southe west region – which includes Kerry, Cork and Limerick – said they were not confident that essential projects included in the Government’s ‘Project 2040’ plan will materialise in their area.

This lack of investment and development in Ireland’s south western region is causing it to fall behind projections, despite big promises from Project Ireland according to the CIF

CIF Southern Regional Director, Conor O’Connell, said Southern Ireland is key to reaching the targets set out in Project Ireland 2040.

“Cork, Limerick and Galway and their surrounding counties must grow at double the rate of Dublin to ensure that 75 per cent of the expected population growth of 1 million live and work outside the Capital city by 2040,” he said.

“Simply, put the Government is not doing enough to ensure that there are houses, schools, and roads to support this population growth. To develop the south and other regional areas, the Government needs to invest in infrastructure. This will provide opportunities for an increasing population in the longer term.

“It will also provide much-needed employment locally for construction workers who otherwise face long commute times or extortionate rent in Dublin,” said Mr O’Connell.

The disparity between construction in Dublin and Ireland’s regional counties is apparent, with 48 per cent of Irish construction workers often travelling for jobs in Dublin, despite 76 per cent being located outside our capital. The survey also showed that 56 per cent of companies have seen a slow down of activity over the past year,” he added.