Cormac O'Meara, Author at Construction Jobs Expo Ireland

Kirby Group Engineering has officially opened its new off-site manufacturing (OSM) facility at Junction 17 National Enterprise Park in Portlaoise, Co Laois. The €8m development is set to create 50 jobs and will be key to the continuing growth of the company as it manufactures a range of components for projects across Ireland, the UK and mainland Europe.

Kirby currently employs over 1800 people and has developed a first-class reputation in the life sciences, data centre, industrial, power and renewables sectors. The Limerick-headquartered firm is on track to record revenue of more than €700m in 2024.

Minister for Enterprise, Peter Burke, TD welcomed the company’s approach to future-proofing its business: “Kirby has demonstrated remarkably strong growth in their 60 years in business, providing them with a strong sense of where the technology and their customers are going. This incredible facility will be integral to projects underway all over Europe and I’d like to wish the team the very best for the future”.

Over 20 people are already working at the Portlaoise facility and Kirby expects that figure to reach 50 by the end of next year. The team there provides fabrication, welding, engineering and BIM (Building Information Modelling) services. It also features a dedicated cleanroom to facilitate high purity pipework, as required by many of Kirby’s hi-tech clients. Components built at the Portlaoise plant will be transported to sites across all jurisdictions that Kirby operates in.

CEO of Kirby Group Engineering Mark Flanagan says OSM is in high demand among its customers, including a number of global IT leaders: “OSM provides incredible savings when it comes to hours on site, equipment on site, scheduling control, quality control and of course health and safety. We now aim to complete 25% of our projects through prefabricated methods and this facility is central to that target. I’d like to congratulate our Operations Director Mikey Ryan on his vision and leadership in bringing this project to life and I’m truly excited to see the possibilities this Portlaoise site can help create for Kirby and our customer offering”.

In addition to the OSM services, the new building houses office space and a dedicated apprentice training facility, which will allow for classroom-based and practical education. Apprenticeships have been an integral part of Kirby’s talent pipeline for many years and the company is currently supporting more than 200 apprentices through their four years of training.

The job creation at the off-site manufacturing facility has come about with the support of Enterprise Ireland. Leo Clancy, Chief Executive Officer, Enterprise Ireland said, “Enterprise Ireland is delighted to support this new development by Kirby Group. It supports a move to more modular construction in the building out of advanced manufacturing facilities thereby capturing more value and increasing sustainable employment for the region. I would like to congratulate Mark and all the team at Kirby on today’s opening and we look forward to continuing to work with the team to support the company’s operations and growth both in Ireland and in overseas markets providing high value services for global customers across multiple sectors.”

The Irish construction sector displayed mixed results in October, with a significant boost in residential building offset by declines in other areas, resulting in a slight drop in overall activity. New order volumes fell for the first time in eight months, yet improved business sentiment encouraged firms to expand their workforce. Meanwhile, input costs remained high.

According to the seasonally adjusted BNP Paribas Real Estate Ireland Construction Total Activity Index, the reading edged up to 49.4 in October from 49.0 in September. Despite this increase, the index remained below the 50.0 threshold, indicating a continued, albeit minor, contraction in activity for the second month in a row. The slowdown was more moderate compared to September's pace.

Different sectors within the construction industry showed contrasting trends. Residential construction stood out with robust growth, recording its fastest rate of expansion since May 2022. However, this was counterbalanced by a noticeable decline in commercial construction and a downturn in civil engineering projects.

Companies that experienced a dip in overall activity often attributed it to emerging signs of a market slowdown, which also contributed to the first drop in new business orders in eight months. Nonetheless, the reduction in new orders was relatively slight.

Despite these challenges, many construction firms expressed confidence in future growth. Business optimism was higher than the long-term average, with some companies expecting a recovery in new orders and continued demand in the housing market.

This positive outlook supported further job creation, marking the second consecutive month of employment growth at a level similar to that seen in September. Purchasing activity remained stable; while some firms increased their inventory levels, others reduced their procurement efforts after previous stockpiling.

Inflationary pressures persisted, with input costs continuing to rise at a significant pace, comparable to the series average. Supply chain disruptions also continued, as delivery times lengthened for the fifth consecutive month—the most significant delays since February. These were attributed to shortages of staff and materials at suppliers, with particular mention of delays from UK sources.

The use of subcontractors increased slightly, leading to a reduction in their availability. However, subcontractor quality saw an improvement for the first time since June 2020.

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We are seeking a highly motivated and experienced Construction Site Manager to join our growing team. The successful candidate will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of construction projects, from initial planning and mobilization to completion and handover. This is a challenging and rewarding opportunity to play a key role in the continued success of Ruden Homes Ltd.

If you are a highly motivated and experienced Construction Site Manager with a passion for excellence, we encourage you to apply with your C.V to hr@rudenhomes.com

A recent report by Ireland’s Fiscal Council highlights significant barriers hindering the timely delivery of infrastructure projects across the nation. The primary culprit, according to the analysis, is the State's planning and objection system, which has long been criticized for its slow and unpredictable nature, contributing to increased project costs and delays.

Comparing Ireland's Infrastructure to European Peers

The Fiscal Council, which offers independent evaluations of the Government’s fiscal management and economic strategies, has assessed Ireland’s infrastructure in relation to other high-income European countries. Historically, Ireland has lagged in infrastructure development. While notable progress has been made—with the infrastructure gap narrowing from 47% per capita in 1995 to 25% today—critical deficits remain in key areas such as housing, healthcare, transport, and electricity.

Beyond Budget Increases: Strategic Spending and Productivity Gains

Addressing these infrastructure gaps may require additional government investment, but the Fiscal Council suggests that these investments are modest when compared to overall government spending. Enhancing the value derived from current expenditures is a vital strategy that could significantly contribute to closing these gaps without dramatically increasing financial outlays.

The report emphasizes that reforms in the planning system are crucial. The current structure, characterized by lengthy approval processes and frequent objections, has been a major contributor to project delays and cost inflation. The Council expressed cautious optimism about the potential impact of the new Planning and Development Act but noted that only time will reveal whether it leads to meaningful improvements.

Workforce Implications

Tackling the infrastructure shortfall will not only require financial resources but also a substantial increase in the workforce. The report estimates that nearly 80,000 additional workers could be necessary to meet the demands, particularly for building new housing and retrofitting existing properties. However, the need for such a large workforce could be mitigated through enhanced productivity within the construction sector, potentially reducing the requirement to fewer than 20,000 additional workers. Additionally, the reallocation of workers from other projects could help ease the strain on labor needs.

Multi-faceted approach

To bridge Ireland’s remaining infrastructure gap, a multi-faceted approach is needed. This includes targeted reforms in the planning system to streamline project approval and execution, ensuring strategic allocation of funds, and addressing workforce requirements through both expansion and productivity enhancements. As the country looks to the future, the success of these initiatives will determine whether Ireland can achieve infrastructure parity with its European counterparts and support sustainable growth.

A recommendation from the Labour Court for new minimum pay rates, pension rates and sick pay entitlements in the Construction Industry has been approved..

The Order amends the previous Sectoral Employment Order (SEO) for the industry made in 2023, and is the fifth of this kind to be made since the first SEO for the Construction sector was issued in 2017.

The Sectoral Employment process is a statutory wage setting mechanism based on the principles of collective bargaining. It provides an independent assessment of pay rates that considers the views of all interested parties with a view of ensuring industrial harmony and competitiveness.

Announcing the new Sectoral Employment Order, The Minister of State for Business, Employment and Retail, Emer Higgins TD stated:

Labour Leader Ivana Bacik TD has called for urgent action following new findings from the Irish Fiscal Advisory Council, which reveal that Ireland’s infrastructure is lagging 25% behind that of other high-income European economies.

Deputy Bacik pointed to this gap as a direct result of government inaction, emphasising that despite having ample resources, the government has failed to invest adequately in critical infrastructure, skills gaps, housing, and services to permanently alleviate the cost-of-living crisis.

“This government has had the means, yet we are seeing a stark reality where, in one of the wealthiest countries in Europe, our infrastructure and services are decades behind. While other European nations forge ahead with modernised infrastructure, Ireland remains stunted due to a lack of political will to invest in lasting solutions.

“These deficits are not just numbers on a page—they represent families struggling to find housing, parents unable to access affordable childcare, and communities affected by a lack of essential services. In Labour’s Alternative Budget 2025, we outlined a clear, bold path to close these gaps. We proposed 6,000 new publicly funded childcare places to support working families and advocated for a full year of paid parental leave to ease the financial strain on young families. Additionally, Labour is committed to building 6,000 more social and affordable homes each year, targeting the housing crisis at its root.”

Deputy Bacik highlighted the need to build a skilled workforce as well as the capacity for modern construction methods to create lasting improvements.

“A key barrier to bridging this infrastructure gap is our skills shortage, which has been largely ignored by Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil. We need to invest in skills that are critical to developing and maintaining robust public infrastructure. Furthermore, we must embrace modern construction methods that many other high-income European countries have already adopted, helping to deliver quality public projects faster and more cost-effectively.

“The reality is that this Government has unprecedented budget surpluses—funds that are the envy of many countries. Yet, these funds have not been channelled into building the infrastructure we desperately need. Ireland cannot afford to remain a cash-rich country with poor infrastructure; the paradox is a disservice to the Irish people.”

Labour’s Budget, Deputy Bacik argued, was a comprehensive, realistic plan that would offer immediate and long-term solutions for Irish families and communities.

“In our Budget, Labour put forth radical but realistic proposals aimed directly at Ireland’s chronic infrastructure deficits. Our budget plan addressed key economic insecurities and laid out structured, achievable goals that would have delivered true, positive change in people’s lives.

“It’s clear that investment in infrastructure is not just about roads or buildings; it’s about reducing economic insecurity for Irish families. Our Labour Budget was focused on people—on their needs and their futures. It was a budget designed to provide the public with services they can count on, giving all of us confidence that our country is prepared for the challenges ahead.

“The next Minister for Finance will inherit a huge budget surplus, yet we have public services and infrastructure that should shame us. It’s time for a government that puts these resources to use for the people—building a society where cash-rich doesn’t mean infrastructure-poor, and where every Irish person can enjoy the prosperity this country is capable of achieving. We must make these critical investments now.”

A new report “Timber in Construction Academic Survey” by the Timber in Construction Steering Group evaluates the current approach in Ireland to teaching engineers and architects in third level institutions on the use of timber in construction. Recommendations are provided on the academic supports needed for timber in construction and the growing need to include much more timber content in the core syllabus of third level courses.

A new reports titled “Global Policies Influencing the Greater Adoption of Timber in Construction” by the Timber in Construction Steering Group identifies and summarises key policies, strategies and regulatory frameworks used in other countries around the world influencing the greater adoption of timber in construction.

The report also provides recommendations on the best practice in raising awareness of the benefits of using timber and the importance of long-term carbon storage in the context of climate change.

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Comparing Ireland's Infrastructure to European Peers

Beyond Budget Increases: Strategic Spending and Productivity Gains

Workforce Implications

Multi-faceted approach

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Topics include

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Learn more here

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Timber in Construction Academic Research Report

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