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November/December 2025
ISSN 3088-6562 Vol 05 No 06
Ronan Columb, Castlethorn – Scan QR code to read digital version
Closing the gap between government policy and implementation
LDA direct delivery pipeline set to triple in 2026 1
Build Digital Annual Survey Results • Sector Forecasts 2026 • Irish Green Building Council irish construction news December 2022
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November/December 2025
NEWS 5 5 7 7 9 9
5 NEWS
11 12 13 16 16
Collen announces appointment of Mark McGreevy as new CEO TU Dublin to deliver 600 new apprenticeship training places Designer Group invests €10m in new modular manufacturing facility LDA launches Barracksfield West in Naas Walls Group strengthens positioning with new technology division Evara receives planning permission for over 800 new homes in Adamstown Tributes paid to former Sisk managing director Kevin C Kelly Government unveils 30-measure plan to fast-track infrastructure delivery HHI Forum tackles Ireland’s housing triple challenge Gilbert-Ash Ireland strengthens presence with new Dublin headquarters John Paul Construction completes work on Rosslare Europort Terminal 7
APPOINTMENTS 14 14 15 15
Hibernia Real Estate Group announces changes to senior management Sisk appoints new COO for infrastructure division Mark Cullen appointed CEO of the HSA Ethos Engineering appoints five new partners
FINANCE
15 Pension Update: 2025 In review and what to look out for in 2026– Susan O’Mara, Business Development Manager, CPAS
INTERVIEW 20 INTERVIEW
20 Castlethorn MD Ronan Columb,: New housing policies must be implemented more swiftly to unlock homes 26 LDA’s direct delivery pipeline maturing as unit output is set to triple in 2026 – Phelim O’Neill, Director of Development, LDA
OPINION
34 Innovation & Efficiency: How AI is transforming design and equipment performance across Ireland’s construction sector this winter – Paul Lynch, 8020 Consulting
SECTOR FOCUS
34 SECTOR FOCUS
34 Irish construction sector to rebound strongly in 2027 – CIS 36 Mid-size construction firms boost productivity by 20% with AI 37 Bennett Construction and Shay Murtagh Precast deliver immersive work experience week for 29 students 38 Digitalisation within the construction industry in Ireland continues to rise 39 Kilsaran launches precast facility in Co Kildare 40 Sisk turns sod on new Greystones/ Wicklow coast guard station 40 Vision Contracting secures top NISO Safety Awards for eighth consecutive year 41 Homebond conference addresses regulatory hurdles and housing output challenges 41 Kingspan awarded ‘Best Irish Company in France’
SUSTAINABILITY
42 Liberties House awarded BREEAM Excellent Rating 42 Ireland Electrified launches action plan to rid Ireland of fossil fuel dependence 43 From zero carbon to circularity: IGBC’s year of milestones 45 Midland Steel becomes first in Ireland to achieve top sustainability rating 46 Ensuring coherence in Europe’s green construction transition
EVENTS 42 SUSTAINABILITY
47 Saint-Gobain and Sitemate named Suppliers of the Year at Sisk Awards 48 The blueprint for scale: Key takeaways from GI Leadership Summit 48 Building Connections with Octabuild
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November/December 2025
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E D I TO R I A L
PUBLISHER Foundation Media Ltd 1 Northumberland Place, Dún Laoghaire, Co Dublin. Tel: +353 (0)1 677 3157 EDITOR Robbie Cousins robbie@foundationmedia.ie DESIGN Joanne Birmingham CONTRIBUTORS Susan O’Mara, Paul Lynch, Ellen Mc Elligott. PRINTER WG Baird Ltd ADVERTISING SALES Joe Connolly joe@foundationmedai.ie Tel: +353 (0)86 396 6158 ADVERTISING AND PROMOTIONAL OPPORTUNITIES To advertise in Irish Construction News or on www.constructionnews.ie, or to request a ratecard or details of promotional opportunities, contact Joe Connolly at joe@foundationmedia.ie CONNECT WITH US ON SOCIAL MEDIA Twitter: @constructionnews.ie Linkedin: Constructionnews.ie Facebook: Constructionnews.ie SIGN UP FOR OUR E-NEWSLETTER To get the latest news, articles and offers related to the Irish construction industry to your inbox sign up to our free e-newsletter at www.constructionnews.ie ISSN 3088-6562 Vol 05 No 06 © All contents copyright Foundation Media Ltd While every effort has been made to ensure that the information contained in this publication is correct, the publisher cannot not accept responsibility for any errors, omissions or discrepancies. Views expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the publisher. The contents of this publication are copyright. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means mechanical, electronic (including photocopying) or digital without the prior consent of the publisher.
From the editor I was sorry to hear about the recent death of architect and TV presenter Hugh Wallace. I interviewed Hugh in 2021 for this publication, when, among other things, he decried the opportunities that were being squandered to rejuvenate our city and town centres by making it easier for people to renovate or repurpose empty buildings into homes. As the curtain falls on 2025, one picture emerging from the construction sector shows a slump continuing its trajectory into November, with the AIB Construction Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) dipping further to a dismal 46.7, well below the crucial 50-point neutral marker. November was the seventh consecutive month of contraction for the industry. More concerningly, this weakness is ubiquitous, affecting all three key subsectors: housing, commercial construction, and civil engineering. As a leading indicator, the PMI is often the canary in the economic coal mine, and right now, that canary is signalling deep distress. The fundamental challenge for 2026 and beyond, however, is that input costs are surging again. For the second straight month, construction firms reported an acceleration in inflationary pressures, reaching the fastest rate since March. Suppliers are raising their charges, and it doesn’t take an economist to connect the dots: If the cost of building goes up, the price of a new home inevitably follows. And builders cannot absorb these escalating costs at the expense of their margins. Having said that, in this issue of Irish Construction News, there is an upbeat air amongst those charged with delivering new homes. According to the latest forecast from CIS, Ireland’s construction market is
poised for a strong return to growth, with project starts forecast to rise by 10% by 2027, driven by a rebound in housing activity and record government capital investment in key infrastructure, health, and education projects. In our Leader Interviews, Castlethorn MD Ronan Columb, who currently has 3,500 homes on site, says the government needs to get its new housing and infrastructure policies implemented more swiftly to unlock homes. Phelim O’Neil, Director of Development, LDA, which expects to triple its housing output next year to 2,400 units, explains how the authority’s strategic interventions are maintaining vital construction skill sets, and outlining a future defined by dramatic increases in direct delivery and transformative placemaking. Elsewhere, the IGBC reports on its programme for 2025, and Paul Lynch of 8020 Consulting sets out how AI could be benefiting Irish construction projects this winter. Please take a moment to scan the QR code below and sign up for our free e-newsletter. And, if there are any issues or stories you would like to see featured in Irish Construction News, email me at robbie@ foundationmedia.ie We wish you a Happy Christmas and a successful 2026! Regards Robbie Cousins
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November/December 2025
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Construction Improving delivery, productivity & quality Built to Innovate supports Irish residential construction companies to improve operational performance through modern methods of construction, lean training and the use of digital tools to drive company-wide productivity benefits.
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November/December2025
NEWS
Collen announces appointment of Mark McGreevy as new chief executive officer
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ollen has announced the appointment of Mark McGreevy as chief executive officer. Currently ranked in the top three building contractors in Ireland and with operations in the UK and Europe, Collen’s revenues are forecast at over €1.5bn, and the business has established a reputation for providing complex projects on time and within budget. One of Ireland’s longest-established family-owned businesses, Collen is an eighth-generation construction business and has successfully tendered and negotiated projects for a wide range of clients, including large multi-national corporations, private companies, local and state authorities. Mark McGreevy’s appointment marks the next step in the group’s evolution, reinforcing the company’s strategic focus on sustainable growth, people-centric leadership and longterm value creation. McGreevy has served on the Collen board since 2024 as a non-executive director
Mark McGreevy, CEO Designate, Collen. and brings over 30 years of multi-sector industry experience to the role, having worked at the executive level in Ireland and
internationally with Sisk. He was also a key figure in the strategic growth of the specialist construction services businesses Vision Built and Sensori. Speaking about the appointment, Neil Collen, Chair of the Board, Collen, commented, “We are delighted to welcome Mark as chief executive officer. His industry expertise, strong alignment with our family values, and a deep understanding of Collen’s ambitions make him well positioned to lead Collen into its next chapter. Mark will play a central role in driving our long-term success, not just in Ireland but across Europe.” Speaking on his appointment, Mark McGreevy said, “It is a privilege to take on this role. I look forward to working with our talented teams and shareholders to build on the strong foundations in place and to support Collen’s continued growth, innovation and service excellence.” Mark McGreevy takes up his new role on 05 January 2026.
TU Dublin to deliver 600 new apprenticeship training places in major expansion
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echnological University Dublin (TU Dublin) has welcomed an announcement by Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, James Lawless TD, of over €20.5m to expand apprenticeship capacity nationally. TU Dublin will receive €5.73m through the Apprenticeship Expansion Programme 2024. This investment will significantly enhance the university’s capacity across its Bolton Street, Tallaght and Blanchardstown campuses, supporting 39 additional craft training blocks and a consortium-led apprenticeship (CLA) equipment project. In total, the funding will enable TU Dublin to deliver 600 new apprenticeship training places, strengthening its role as Ireland’s largest provider of apprenticeship education. Welcoming the announcement, Dr Deirdre Lillis, President of TU Dublin, said, “This investment is a significant endorsement of TU Dublin’s leadership in apprenticeship education. Expanding capacity across key craft programmes and upgrading our training facilities will ensure that apprentices develop the advanced, industry-ready skills required in a rapidly changing economy.” TU Dublin will strengthen and expand its Carpentry & Joinery Apprenticeship at Linenhall, Bolton Street, to meet strong regional demand and address the current
gap in Phase 4 and Phase 6 training in Greater Dublin. On its Tallaght campus, the university will double capacity for the refrigeration and air conditioning apprenticeships, adding three new blocks annually from 2025/26, supporting rising skills needs across construction, logistics, food production, and data centres, as well as national heat pump targets. The Tallaght campus will also increase electrical apprenticeship provision by 18 blocks annually by 2028, representing a 42% rise and reflecting recent sustained national growth of 7-8% per year. Through a consortia-led apprenticeship investment, the industrial electrical engineering apprenticeship in Tallaght will
receive advanced new equipment, ensuring apprentices train with up-to-date automation and digital technologies, supporting national skills requirements. In Blanchardstown, the capacity for the plumbing apprenticeship will grow by 75% by 2028, with nine additional blocks offered each year. The Bolton Street investment will expand carpentry, joinery, and wood manufacturing and finishing apprenticeship programmes. At Linenhall, Bolton Street, the Wood Manufacturing and Finishing Apprenticeship will expand by 33%, with three extra blocks introduced annually by 2028, at a time when national registrations have been growing at a similar rate since 2019, underscoring strong industry demand.
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November/Decedmber 2025
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NEWS
Designer Group invests €10m in new modular manufacturing facility in Co Meath
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esigner Group, one of Ireland’s leading mechanical and electrical engineering companies, has expanded its modular manufacturing capability with the opening of a new €10m facility in Kells, Co Meath. The large investment in the 4,000-sq metre workshop demonstrates the company’s continued commitment to innovation, efficiency, and client value. The new facility is expected to employ up to 75 people over the next five years in a range of positions, including engineering, fabrication and logistics. Having delivered modular and off-site solutions for several years, this larger, purpose-built workshop enables Designer Group to scale operations, enhance production capacity and deliver even greater value for its clients in the data centre, energy, and pharmaceutical sectors. Components built at the Meath plant will be transported to Designer Group client sites across Ireland, the UK and Europe. Paul Nicholls, Group Managing Director, Designer Group, said, “As our industry continues to evolve, we are seeing a fundamental shift in how complex projects are executed – with speed, certainty, and sustainability at the forefront. Our new
Designer Group’s new modular manufacturing facility in Kells. facility enables us to deliver high-quality, prefabricated modules off-site, driving greater efficiency, cost certainty, and reduced risk for our clients, while ensuring excellence in delivery across all sectors. Beyond its operational impact, this investment also strengthens our local footprint, supporting long-term employment in Co Meath with the creation of 75 skilled, management and apprenticeship roles over the coming years.” Designer Group has an international
reputation for excellence in the delivery of mechanical and electrical (M&E) engineering services. It employs 1,250 people and operates in 10 countries.
LDA launches Barracksfield West in Naas
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he Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, James Browne, has officially launched the first new homes at Barracksfield West, Naas, Co Kildare. The new development, delivered by the Land Development Agency (LDA) and Kildare County Council (KCC), will provide 219 muchneeded affordable homes. Built by Andrews Construction, the homes are a mix of terraced houses, duplexes and apartments. The full development includes 42 three-bed houses and 177 apartments and duplexes. All Barracksfield West homes will be made available through an Affordable Purchase, Cost Rental or Social scheme. The first phase of the development includes 42 three-bed houses, 12 two-bed duplexes and 12 one-bed apartments. All of the three-bed houses will have gardens, while the apartments will feature balconies or terraces. Barracksfield West is located on John Devoy Road to the southwest of Naas town centre, and the development is well serviced by transport links to Dublin city centre and surrounding towns. It is well situated with easy access to the M7 and M9 motorways. Upon completion, the development will include significant open communal areas, bicycle spaces and a crèche. Speaking at the event, Minister Browne said, ‘I am delighted to be in Naas to mark the launch of the first homes in this fantastic new housing development. These high-quality, A-rated and affordable homes are evidence of what can be achieved by state-delivered housing for people across Ireland. The delivery of homes across all tenure types will be through the individual and collective effort of key delivery partners like local authorities here in Kildare County Council and the LDA. I want to back ambition as part of the
The LDA’s Barracksfield West development in Naas. ‘Delivering Homes, Building Communities’ housing action plan.” John Coleman, Chief Executive of the LDA, said, ‘This is a proud day for the LDA. Barracksfield West is our first major direct delivery project outside of Dublin, and it is wonderful to see these new homes, in a great location, being made available.” “I would like to thank Minister Browne for being here today and the government for its support of the LDA’s ambitions as we ramp up our activity and delivery across the country. ‘I would also like to thank the teams at the LDA, Kildare County Council and our construction partners, Andrews Construction, for their hard work and collaboration on this fantastic development.”
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NEWS
Walls Group strengthens positioning with new technology division
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alls Construction Holdings Limited has announced the establishment of its new subsidiary, Walls Technology Limited. Walls Technology Limited will provide construction, technical, and mission-critical services to clients in Ireland and abroad, across the data centre, life sciences, food & beverage, infrastructure, and energy/ renewables sectors. This latest development is part of the company’s growth strategy, further enhancing its expertise and range of services, and reinforcing its positioning as one of Ireland’s leading building contractors. “Over the past 75 years, we have completed major projects across various sectors, including pharmaceutical, life sciences, industrial, process, manufacturing and healthcare,” acknowledged Frank Kelly, Executive Chairman and Adrian Corcoran, Managing Director, Walls Construction. “In recent years, our turnover has grown significantly, notably in largescale residential projects, and now, in line with our planned growth in Ireland and
abroad, establishing our technology sector operations as a distinct division is well timed.” The leadership team is highly experienced and currently managing projects including a major data centre complex for Echelon Data
Centres in Clondalkin, Dublin 22, a medical device facility extension to Bausch & Lomb’s operations in Waterford and, through Walls’ overseas subsidiaries, Walls Technology is also engaged in data centre projects in the Benelux region of Europe.
Evara receives planning permission for over 800 new homes in Adamstown
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vara has received planning permission from South Dublin County Council (SDCC) for a major new 877-unit housing and apartment development in Adamstown, Dublin. The Adamstown Boulevard Phase 2 development is part of the Adamstown Strategic Development Zone. The project includes a total of 877 new housing units, a new central urban square, landscaped courtyards and pocket parks. The homes will be built across nine buildings, ranging in height from three to nine storeys and include a mix of apartment and duplex units. They include 45 studio apartments, 388 one-bedroom apartments, 403 two-bedroom apartments and 41 three-bedroom apartments. A CGI of the Adamstown Boulevard Phase 2 development.
The project adds significantly to Evara’s existing developments in Adamstown, which include Adamstown Town Centre, The Crossings retail hub and Boulevard Phase 1. Adamstown Boulevard Phase 2 is a continuation of Evara’s existing Phase 1 development, which comprises primarily two-, three- and four-bedroom houses and is nearing completion with the new homes being marketed as Redford. The proposal also focuses on improving local connectivity, with strong pedestrian links and green park walkways to Adamstown Train Station, which is set to benefit from the forthcoming DART+ South West service. Evara has delivered more than 3,000 homes to date in the Greater Dublin Area and is targeting a new annual output of 1,500 homes. Michael Hynes, CEO, Evara, said, “This is a significant milestone for the Adamstown SDZ and for Evara. Adamstown Boulevard Phase 2 is our single-largest planning permission to date. It ensures we can continue to deliver sustainable homes at scale, building on our mission of creating new and welcoming communities in neighbourhoods where people can afford to live in high-quality developments. We would like to thank SDCC for their input into the project, and we look forward to continuing to work with them on the delivery of new housing across the Adamstown SDZ. “Evara recently formed a new strategic partnership with TPG Real Estate, and this has allowed us to accelerate our housing delivery and set ourselves a new output target of 1,500 homes a year. We have a track record of delivering carefully designed, well-served neighbourhoods, and through projects such as Boulevard Phase 2, we are confident we can continue to play a key role in addressing Ireland’s ongoing housing need.”
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November/Decedmber 2025
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NEWS
Have your say: Build Digital Survey 2025
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he Build Digital annual survey has rolled around again. This nationwide survey captures the current level of digitalisation within the construction and built environment in Ireland. Your insights into the current landscape will help Build Digital shape the future digital strategies in Ireland. Build Digital is a government-funded initiative that supports the digital transformation across our sector. The adoption of digital workflows, tools and practices can transform the efficiency, productivity, sustainability and competitiveness of the construction and built environment industries in Ireland. Please take a few minutes to complete the survey: www.builddigitalproject.ie/2025annual-survey or scan the QR code
Tributes paid to former Sisk managing director Kevin C Kelly
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ributes have been paid following the death of Kevin C Kelly, a revered figure in the Irish construction industry and a former managing director of Sisk, who passed away on 12 November at the age of 86. Kevin Kelly was the beloved husband of Nuala (née Hourigan) and a devoted father to Jeremy, Marion, Ronan, Kevin, and Cathal. In their eulogy, his family shared his deep passion for his work: “Dad absolutely loved the building industry and loved every minute of his time in Sisk. He was immensely proud of the company and of all his colleagues and of the big flagship projects like Croke Park, the original Central Bank office on Dame Street and Dundrum Town Centre, to name just three.” Kevin Kelly was born in Lehanmore, Garnish, Co Cork, the youngest of nine children born to Jeremiah and Sheila Kelly. He attended boarding school at St Colman’s in Fermoy from the age of 12. He was a keen sportsman, playing football for Garnish and for the Beara team that won the Cork championship in 1958. He was also a passionate golfer. His career with Sisk spanned four decades, beginning in 1959 when he joined as a junior estimator at the firm’s Lad Lane office in Dublin, simultaneously attending a night course in quantity surveying at Bolton Street College. He rapidly advanced through the ranks: • 1970: Senior Estimator • 1979: Regional Director • 1983: Main Board Director • 1986: Appointed Managing Director • 1999: Retired from Sisk Following his retirement, Kevin Kelly served as Chair of Treasury Holdings for 12 years. He also remained closely involved with the Construction Industry Federation (CIF) up until very recently, a role that was hugely important to him.
The late Kevin C Kelly. His peers recognised his commitment to the industry with multiple honours, including a lifetime achievement award from The Master Builders and the Chartered Institute of Building President’s Medal in the UK in 2006.
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NEWS
Government unveils 30-measure plan to fast-track infrastructure delivery
Andrew Brownlee, CEO, CIF.
Maurice Gillen, Country Manager for Jacobs Ireland.
he government plans to introduce reforms aimed at cutting delays and resetting the “imbalance” between individuals’ right to object and the delivery of major public infrastructure. The “Accelerating Infrastructure” report and action plan contains 30 measures designed to remove barriers to infrastructure delivery. Among the actions detailed in the government’s new “Accelerating Infrastructure” report and action plan are reforms to the judicial review process, increases in the exemption thresholds for critical infrastructure, and the establishment of a regulatory simplification unit to lead a review of regulatory structures. The plan also includes drafting legislation that would enable projects to be designated as critical infrastructure “subject to Dáil resolution”. It would also give the government emergency powers to accelerate their delivery. The government stated that the reforms underway sought to address an “imbalance” between the right of individuals to access the courts and the “common good.” The report specifically focuses on legal system reform, regulatory reform, coordination, and delivery. An Taoiseach Micheal Martin emphasised that transparency was key in identifying blockages, particularly concerning housing delivery. He remarked that the blockages should not have happened, but noted that the establishment of an infrastructure division within DPER (Department of Public Expenditure and Reform) was helping the matter. “It shouldn’t take the intervention of a Taoiseach or Tánaiste or ministers to get agencies to do what the government has provided for and enabled to happen,” he said. Both the Taoiseach and Tánaiste acknowledged that planning was being held up by judicial reviews. The Construction Industry Federation (CIF) welcomed the publication of the government’s Accelerate Infrastructure Action Plan, describing it as an important milestone in tackling Ireland’s infrastructure deficit. However, the CIF stressed the urgent need for detailed project timelines and implementation plans to ensure the strategy delivers on its ambition. Andrew Brownlee, CEO, CIF, said, “We welcome the Taskforce’s recommendations and its intent to accelerate the delivery of large infrastructure projects to remove bottlenecks around housing, water supply and treatment, energy, hospitals, and other vital infrastructure. We are in the midst of a housing and infrastructure emergency, which severely undermines Ireland’s competitiveness. Indeed, the IMD world competitiveness rankings place Ireland as first in Europe and seventh out of 69 for basic infrastructure. These
actions are necessary to respond to that emergency and overcome the barriers to the delivery of infrastructure already identified in their initial report in July, and require the government to address bottlenecks and inefficiencies around funding and prioritisation of projects, regulation, risk aversion, judicial reviews, planning and consents processes, public procurement, attracting talent and public acceptance. “The proposed legislation to accelerate critical infrastructure and provide for emergency powers is essential to fast-track strategic projects through planning and limit judicial reviews, in the interests of the common good. “But while the funding commitments of €275.4bn announced in July were significant to drive what the government has called an “infrastructure revolution”, the largest capital investment plan in our history must be matched with a clear roadmap of projects and timelines. Construction companies need certainty to scale up operations and deliver. Without granular detail, investment planning becomes impossible. “Currently, 62% of Ireland’s leading contractors are scaling up operations abroad, where project pipelines are clear and predictable. CIF warns this trend will continue unless the government provides specific plans and start dates for projects in the short to medium term. “The funding is there. Now we need to see the list of projects and their timelines to give the industry the certainty it needs, and then we need to focus on delivery in line with these deadlines.” Maurice Gillen, Country Manager for Jacobs Ireland, commented, “The government’s Accelerating Infrastructure Report and Action Plan sets out a clear response to the planning and delivery pressures that have delayed critical infrastructure projects nationwide. “This is a plan shaped for delivery. Several of the measures announced, including clearer statutory timelines, improved crossgovernment coordination and modernised procurement, directly reflect challenges that will be familiar to all those working in the sector. “We now need to turn this strategy into action. With 1,300 colleagues in Dublin, Cork and Belfast, Jacobs has long supported major programmes across Ireland’s infrastructure and economic landscape and stands ready to assist as the government moves toward implementation.”
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NEWS Healthy Homes Ireland Chairperson Susan Vickers speaking at the HHI Forum.
Affordable, healthy, sustainable: HHI Forum tackles Ireland’s housing triple challenge
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ey Irish and European figures in housing, public health, and the environment convened at Europe House, Dublin, on 04 November for the latest meeting of the Healthy Homes Ireland (HHI) Forum, focusing on how Ireland can accelerate the delivery of affordable homes while ensuring they are sustainable and support the health and wellbeing of residents. The event, chaired by Susan Vickers, Chair, HHI, brought together policymakers, government officials and industry leaders from architecture, construction, public health, engineering, and academia. The forum examined how Ireland can balance the pressing demand for new housing with the need to meet climate goals and improve indoor living conditions. Opening the event, Susan Vickers said, “I’m looking forward to chairing this forum on the discussion of one of Ireland’s defining challenges: how we make sure that the speed of delivery of affordable homes and the wellbeing of residents go hand in hand.” Representing VELUX, Public Affairs Manager Neil Freshwater reaffirmed the company’s commitment to advancing healthier homes, “Healthy buildings are at the heart of what we do at VELUX, where we advocate for healthier indoor environments. We are proud to continue our partnership with IGBC on HHI, which brings together experts and policymakers to ensure that every new home in Ireland is not only affordable but also designed to promote wellbeing, indoor comfort, and sustainability.” Participants heard from Matthew Baldwin, Head of the European Commission’s Housing Task Force, who presented remotely on the forthcoming European Affordable Housing Plan and emphasised that increasing the affordability of housing should not come at the expense of sustainability or quality. Matthew Baldwin said, “We need to make the best use of our existing buildings while building more in general. Energy renovation will make housing more affordable in the long run and will also contribute to making our homes a healthier place for our children and us.” His remarks set the stage for a dynamic panel discussion featuring former Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications Eamon Ryan, Dublin City Architect and Irish Green Building Council (IGBC) Chair Ali Grehan, and former Chair of the Housing Commission John O’Connor. Eamon Ryan highlighted the importance of maintaining ambition on climate action in the housing sector. He commented, “This is a time to double down rather than weaken our climate commitments. The solutions we have to hand are going
Pictured at the HHI Forum (l to r): Neil Freshwater , Public Affairs Manager, VELUX; Ali Grehan, Dublin City Architect; Susan Vickers, Chair, HHI; and John O’Connor, former Chair of the Housing Commission. to improve our homes, not just our pockets, but also our health. The historic slogan of the green movement to ‘think global and act local’ has never been more important. When it comes to the development of housing, that means building up our neighbourhoods and not just bricks and mortar of our own home.” Ali Grehan emphasised that housing targets and healthy design can be pursued together. She said, “Under pressure to build 300,000 new homes by 2030, we’re in danger of sidelining the need to make those homes liveable and healthy. We need to hold our nerve because these ambitions are not mutually exclusive. It just requires good and collaborative design and planning.” Reflecting on the importance of putting people at the centre of housing policy, John O’Connor added, “Housing must be treated as a unique priority to support people, families, and communities. Everyone deserves a warm, healthy, decent, and affordable home.” HHI is a partnership initiative of the IGBC and VELUX, established in 2021 to raise awareness of the links between indoor environments, health, and housing quality in Ireland. The forum builds on HHI’s ongoing work to ensure that housing policy and industry practice in Ireland improve residents’ quality of life while meeting national and European sustainability goals.
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APPOINTMENTS
Hibernia Real Estate Group announces changes to senior management team
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ibernia Real Estate Group (Hibernia) has announced that Edwina Governey will become Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Michael Griffith will become Chief Investment Officer (CIO) with effect from 01 January 2026. Edwina Governey was appointed CIO in 2019 and has been a key contributor to the execution of Hibernia’s investment strategy since joining in 2014. She will succeed Tom Edwards-Moss, who has been with Hibernia for over 11 years and has played a central role in the business’s growth and its 2022 takeover by Brookfield. Following a handover period, Tom Edwards-Moss will leave the business in early 2026 to pursue opportunities in the UK. Concurrent with Governey taking over as CEO, Michael Griffith will be appointed CIO, having led the investment team on an interim basis in 2025. Edwina Governey commented, “I am thrilled to be appointed CEO, and I look forward to leading the team. I am also very pleased that Michael will be succeeding me as CIO; he has performed the role brilliantly
Edwina Governey, incoming Chief Executive Officer, Hibernia Real Estate Group.
Michael Griffith, incoming Chief Financial Officer, Hibernia Real Estate Group.
during my maternity leave. “On behalf of everyone at Hibernia, I would like to thank Tom for his significant contribution to the success of the business and wish him well in his future endeavours.” Tom Edwards-Moss said, “I am delighted Edwina is succeeding me as CEO. She has great knowledge of the Dublin market and
is an outstanding leader. Both Edwina and Michael have worked at Hibernia for many years, and their promotion is a testament to their hard work and ability, as well as the strength of our team. “I have enjoyed my time at Hibernia immensely, and I wish Edwina, Michael and the rest of the team every success in future.”
Sisk appoints new COO for infrastructure division
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ohn Sisk & Son (Sisk) has appointed Leo Martin to the newly created role of Chief Operating Officer (COO) for its Infrastructure Division. Martin will join Sisk in January 2026, at which point he will assume the role of COO – Infrastructure and will report directly to Group CEO Paul Brown. The Infrastructure Division has been established to provide dedicated executive leadership across Sisk’s growing civil engineering activities in Ireland and the UK. It will consist of two business units: Sisk Infrastructure and the recently acquired Farrans business. Alan Rodger, Managing Director (MD) of Sisk UK, and Dominic Lavery, MD of Farrans Construction, will report to Leo Martin in their current capacities as MDs of their respective business units. Leo Martin joins Sisk with more than 35 years’ experience in civil engineering, where he has played a pivotal role in driving sustainable growth, innovation and building excellent teams on complex infrastructure projects across the UK and Ireland. He is widely recognised for his integrity, technical expertise, and collaborative leadership style with a proven ability to successfully scale complex engineering operations through a strong safety culture. Commenting on the appointment Paul Brown, CEO of Sisk, said: “We are delighted to welcome Leo in the new year and to learn from his experience in the civil engineering sector across Ireland and the UK as we look to grow our business in this space. Leo is incredibly well known and respected throughout the industry, and we look forward to welcoming him on board in the new year.” Brown continued: “Over the past number of years, we have seen sustained and significant investment in infrastructure across Ireland and the UK - from transportation, aviation and water to energy, flood alleviation, and utilities. With the recent addition of Farrans to the Sisk family, the scale and capability of our infrastructure operations
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have increased considerably. Combined with our existing Sisk Infrastructure business led by Alan Rodger, we now have a powerful platform for growth across both markets.”
Leo Martin, COO Designate, Infrastructure Division, Sisk.
APPOINTMENTS
Mark Cullen appointed CEO of the HSA
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he Health and Safety Authority (HSA) has announced the appointment of Mark Cullen as its new chief executive officer (CEO). He had been serving as Interim CEO since earlier this year. Over a 25-year career with the HSA, Mark Cullen has held a wide range of leadership and operational roles, developing a deep knowledge of workplace health and safety issues as well as the Authority’s broader regulatory responsibilities in chemicals, product safety and national accreditation. A qualified civil engineer, he previously worked in the UK construction industry as an engineer in the private sector. Speaking on his appointment, Mark Cullen said, “I am honoured to accept the position of CEO of the Health and Safety Authority. Having worked with the organisation for more than 25 years, I have a deep understanding of both the breadth and importance of our remit - from protecting workers’ health and safety to ensuring chemicals and products are used and managed safely, and delivering a national accreditation service that underpins quality and trust. I look forward to working with the Chairperson, the Board, my colleagues across the Authority and our many stakeholders to deliver on our strategic ambitions.”
Mark Cullen, CEO, Health & Safety Authority.
Ethos Engineering appoints five new partners
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Ethos Engineering directors John Clarke, James Gillic, Paul Tighe, Susan Cormican and Colin Quinn.
thos Engineering has announced the appointment of five new partners: Paul Tighe, Susan Cormican, James Gillic, John Clarke and Colin Quinn. This is part of a series of recent appointments Ethos has made across its business, designed to lay the foundations for the future of Ethos. In a statement, Ethos said it is committed to investing in its people and capabilities as it continues to deliver excellence to clients, while also enhancing and broadening the services it offers. The partner role is new at Ethos – demonstrating its commitment to continuous improvement and evolution in support of clients and growth ambitions. Each partner will play a central role in driving strategic growth, shaping Ethos culture and deepening collaboration across the business. Working closely with the executive team, they will help guide Ethos through its next chapter, ensuring it delivers excellence for its clients at every stage.
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NEWS
Gilbert-Ash Ireland strengthens presence with new Dublin headquarters
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resh off completing Dublin’s 245-bedroom citizenM Hotel—a project that ushered the global hospitality brand into Ireland—chartered builder Gilbert-Ash Ireland has opened its new Dublin headquarters. This new office, joining locations in Belfast and London, is the platform for the company’s next phase of rapid expansion in the Irish market. The company is also progressing work on the construction of two major hotels, a 215-bedroom Premier Inn at Twilfit House on Jervis Street and a 229-bedroom Premier Inn forming part of the redevelopment of the former Clerys department store site. Elsewhere on the island, Gilbert-Ash has completed several landmark projects including the Giant’s Causeway Visitors Centre and the Lyric Theatre in Belfast, both of which were shortlisted for the Stirling Prize. Gilbert-Ash Managing Director, Ray Hutchinson, said the new Dublin headquarters reflects the company’s drive to growing its presence in Ireland. “We are proud of our work in Ireland and our new headquarters, in the heart
Gilbert-Ash Project Director Sean Doran, Managing Director Ray Hutchinson and Design Project Director Danielle Gillespie at the opening of the company’s new Dublin headquarters. of Dublin, is a commitment from us to expanding our footprint across the country,” he said. “Gilbert-Ash feels at home working in Ireland and we want to build a solid foundation from which to deliver future projects, especially across the hospitality, workspace and residential sectors. “We look forward to working closely with local clients, sub-contractors and other
stakeholders in the near future.” Gilbert-Ash has a unique approach to construction, fit-out and refurbishment based on the belief that great buildings come about through hard work, inspired innovation and genuine collaboration. To find out more about Gilbert-Ash visit www.gilbert-ash.com
John Paul Construction completes work on Rosslare Europort Terminal 7
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uring November, John Paul Construction marked the formal completion of Rosslare Europort Terminal 7 and Enabling Works for the Office of Public Works. The new customs control facility and border control post was built at a cost of close to €230m, it is one of the biggest capital infrastructure projects of its kind in Ireland. A significant amount of the construction cost came from the EU’s Brexit Adjustment Reserve (BAR). Rosslare Europort has seen a more than six-fold increase in direct European sailings since Brexit, with many freight and delivery companies shifting from using the UK landbridge to more direct sea
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routes with the European Union. The major infrastructure upgrades reflect this growth, as well as the new customs requirements that come with the port becoming a major gateway between Ireland and mainland Europe. The project was a highly complex one for John Paul Construction, requiring the port to remain fully operational throughout, and its teams worked closely with port operator Iarnród Éireann Irish Rail to make that possible. It stands as a testament to the collaboration of everyone involved that the project was delivered on time and on budget.
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BUILDING SECURE PENSIONS CPAS is a construction industry specific pension provider. Whether you are an employer seeking to provide benefits for your employees or planning your own retirement, CPAS has the right solution for you. Our dedicated team are here to support you, whether you are starting your business, growing your business, or planning for your future. For more information, please get in touch today. info@cpas.ie or T 01 407 1400
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FINANCIAL PLANNING
Pension Update: 2025 In review and what to look out for in 2026
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he nationwide auto-enrolment pension scheme, for private-sector workers in Ireland made substantial progress during 2025. While on the government radar since at least 2006, it was in 2025 that the long-term planning gave way to the establishment of My Future Fund. Throughout 2025, employers were finalising their planning, deciding whether to include employees in a new or an existing pension scheme or to rely on the government backed scheme. The first employer and employee contributions under auto-enrolment are scheduled to begin in early 2026, rather than 2025 as originally expected when we entered 2025, allowing employers and employees a longer window to prepare. In mid -November 2025, the government announced they would be urgently updating legislation to require occupational pension schemes to provide a minimum total contribution rate of 3.5% of the employee’s gross remuneration in order for employees to be exempt from autoenrolment into the new central retirement savings system, My Future Fund. While the government’s intention is to prevent some employers from abusing the system, employer representatives and the pension industry have expressed concern on this last-minute legislation change. From its inception, the legislation introducing auto-enrolment provided that an alternative pension scheme must meet minimum contribution standards, which would be fully defined by the end of Year 6. Initially, it was stated that any level of employer or employee contribution would qualify for temporary exemption for employees already in a pension scheme. It is unclear at the time of writing what the requirements for employers will be, as we are waiting for this legislation to be published. So, in 2026, a key risk for employers to watch for, will be the final design of the minimum standard test for existing pension schemes.
WHAT ELSE SHOULD EMPLOYERS BE AWARE OF? The Employment (Contractual Retirement Ages) Bill 2025 is in its final stages having passed through the Dail. The Bill creates a new statutory structure for employees who wish to remain in employment to state pension age (Age 66) if they wish. This is relevant to employers who have a
Susan O’Mara, Business Development Manager, CPAS. contractual retirement which is lower than the state pension age. Employers should consider reviewing what the rules of their pension scheme and additional benefits provided for such employees. In figures released by the Central Statistics Office in 2024 for International Day of the Older Persons, it was noted that between Q2 2019 and Q2 2024, the number of people aged 65 years and over and in employment rose by 57% from 78,100 to 122,300. Employers will need to plan for this, reviewing their current practices & contractual agreements.
STANDARD FUND THRESHOLD REFORM
The Standard Fund Threshold (SFT) is currently €2,000,00 and has been at this level since 2014. This threshold will increase by €200,000 p.a. from 2026 to 2029 and in line with changes in weekly average earnings thereafter. Personal Fund Fund
Thresholds (PFTs) will also increase at the same time and by the same amount. This is good news for higher earners and business owners as it will provide greater headway for savers with long-term contributions, without being penalised through excessive taxation.
CWPS TURNED 60
In 2025, the Construction Workers Pension Scheme (CWPS) celebrated 60 years of providing pension savings and risk benefits to the Construction and related industries. To mark that milestone, a member survey was conducted. We look forward to releasing the results of this survey in early 2026, which will provide insight about how members and employers engage with these benefits. CPAS administers the Construction Workers Pension Scheme (CWPS) and CERS. Contact Susan O’Mara, CPAS Business Development Manager, by emailing susan@cpas.ie or by direct dial 01 2234942.
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INTERVIEW Ronan Columb, Managing Director, Castlethorn Group.
Ronan Columb: New housing policies must be implemented more swiftly to unlock homes With 3,500 units on-site and a focus on large-scale placemaking, Castlethorn Group Managing Director Ronan Columb speaks with ROBBIE COUSINS about leveraging MMC, delivering vital infrastructure, and the urgent need for the state sector and local authorities to accelerate the pace of policy implementation.
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astlethorn, one of Ireland’s foremost real estate developers and home builders, is experiencing a significant resurgence, positioning itself at the forefront of the nation’s ambitious housing drive. After navigating the cyclical nature of the construction industry, the company is back on a steady upward trajectory. Group Managing Director, Ronan Columb, who took up his leadership role in 2023, is steering the 35-year-old firm with a clear, strategic focus on large-scale residential delivery and transformative placemaking. With thousands of units currently on-site and an extensive development pipeline, Castlethorn is not just building homes; it is constructing entire communities, often requiring the delivery of major public infrastructure—a level of complexity few in the market embrace. Columb’s insights
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reveal a business that thrives on solving challenges of scale, innovates through Modern Methods of Construction (MMC), and actively champions a collaborative approach to unlocking housing supply, while simultaneously highlighting the urgent need for the state sector to match the industry’s pace.
EMBRACING THE RESIDENTIAL GROWTH OPPORTUNITY
Castlethorn’s business evolution has seen it strategically pivot to meet current market demands. While the firm previously engaged in retail, commercial, and leisure developments, the core focus today is unequivocally residential. Ronan Columb explains, “We have been very busy focusing on the residential side of our business for the last number of years, because, essentially, that’s where the growth opportunity is.”
This concentration is driving dramatic growth. The numbers speak for themselves. Castlethorn is currently on-site with approximately 3,500 residential units, a figure projected to rise to about 4,000 in Q1 of next year. The pace of delivery is accelerating rapidly, with expected unit closings climbing from around 500 per year in previous periods to a target “cruising altitude” of circa 2,000 to 2,500 units annually by the end of next year. Furthermore, the company holds a substantial land pipeline spanning tens of thousands of potential units, underscoring its long-term commitment to high-volume housing delivery. “We’re around a long time—over 35 years. We’ve had some highs in the past, and we’ve had some lows, and we’re back on the upcurve at the moment,” Columb notes, reflecting the company’s resilience
INTERVIEW and renewed energy. “This growth is intrinsically linked to our ability to manage and deliver complex, large-scale projects.”
PLACEMAKING AS A CORE BUSINESS STRATEGY
For Ronan Columb and Castlethorn, a development is defined by more than just the houses or apartments it contains. Placemaking—the creation of successful, integrated, and sustainable built environments—is the company’s “main ambition” and “greatest achievement.” This commitment is non-negotiable when operating at scale. “Placemaking and infrastructure are things that come with scale of delivery,” he explains. “While small developments might not face significant infrastructure hurdles, projects involving thousands of units—like our Woodbrook development in Shankill, South County Dublin —place a far greater burden on the developer. We need to deliver more than just homes. We also have to deliver the custom supporting infrastructure for that.” This is the kind of project where Castlethorn truly excels, a territory that may be new for some later market entrants but is deeply ingrained in the company’s heritage. Its involvement in Adamstown, a significant SDZ (Strategic Development Zone), serves as a prime example. Acquired unzoned in the late 90s, Castlethorn guided the lands through the entire planning process, co-creating the Local Area Plan (LAP) and SDZ in conjunction with South Dublin County Council. Crucially, Castlethorn was responsible for the delivery of key physical and social infrastructure.
“We built the railway station in Adamstown, we spent €100m on infrastructure to develop the lands to enable them to produce units,” Columb explains. “Furthermore, the development included provisions and planning for a secondary school, two primary schools, and several creches.”
LAND ACQUISITION AND DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY
Castlethorn’s strategy has consistently been to acquire lands on key transport nodes, a foresight that now aligns perfectly with sustainable urban planning principles. This focus is evident across its portfolio: Adamstown, Lucan: A rail-based community where Castlethorn built the railway station in 2007. Woodbrook, Shankill: Castlethorn built a DART station to create another rail-based community. Rathborne Park, Ashtown, Dunlin 15: Castlethorn is building a community around an existing, underutilised railway station. Successful developments, for Columb, hinge on delivering both physical infrastructure (pipes, squares, bridges) and social infrastructure (schools, creches, parks, and shops).
PROJECT PIPELINE AND FUTURE FRONTS Castlethorn’s current workload spans every stage of the development process, securing its delivery pipeline for years to come. At Rathborne, Dublin 15, the company has approximately 1,000 units on-site. The team is also actively working with the local authority to bring zoned lands in the
immediate area into production, potentially yielding several thousand additional units. Furthermore, they are pursuing zoning for other owned lands in the area through the current or future development plans. The Woodbrook, Shankill, site is nearing the completion of its final 600 units. However, Castlethorn has a significant interest in an adjacent land bank where the Old Connaught LAP has recently been adopted by Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council (DLRCC). This site is being prepared to become one of the company’s “new fronts” from the end of 2026 onwards. Kellystown, Dublin 15, is a new critical location, with work underway on existing lands and expectations of positive planning outcomes for additional plots, signalling an “extended future” for the company in that area. In addition to these largescale master-planned sites, a number of other higher-density projects are slated to commence on-site between now and the end of Q1 next year.
POLICY TO IMPLEMENTATION: THE CHALLENGE FOR THE GOVERNMENT
Ronan Columb acknowledges and welcomes many of the recent government policy announcements, believing they are “capable of producing higher levels of output across the industry.” However, the crucial point of friction remains the “gap between policy and implementation.” Ronan Columb expresses concern that the policies are filtering down through the system at a slower rate than needed. He highlights that major intermediary bodies—including local authorities, utility companies, and government departments—
Loughmore Wood development, Killeen Castle, Dunsany, Co. Meath.
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INTERVIEW
Luttrellstown Gate, Dublin 15.
do not always act with the same sense of urgency demonstrated by central government. “The most important thing for us now is to see that the policies that the government is activating are implemented, and implemented swiftly, so that the industry can react and start building more residential units,” he stresses. He holds high hopes for the new Housing Activation Office and Housing Tsar, viewing this as a potential “good force for change” capable of unblocking persistent issues and accelerating policy implementation. He argues that many state bodies were designed for regulation and control, but the current imperative demands a shift to an enabling, encouraging mindset—a change the Housing Activation Office should foster. Interestingly, he says that Castlethorn conducted its own internal “school report” on the government’s progress against a wishlist developed at the beginning of the year. “I am really pleased to say that in many respects the government hit the mark on many things, including changes to the guidelines concerning judicial reviews (JRs), even if the path taken wasn’t always precisely what we had envisioned. Change must be “controlled and incremental, and while not always popular, the cumulative impact is to improve output”.
RISKS AND ROADBLOCKS TO DELIVERY
Despite positive government moves, significant operational and systemic risks continue to pressure developers like Castlethorn. While acknowledging that Judicial Reviews are a “vital piece of our democratic process,” Roan Columb stresses, “the presence of them and the possibility of them really puts a lot of pressure on businesses
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like ours. The cost of preparing planning applications has multiplied over the past few years, as developers are compelled to take so many additional measures to try and obviate the risks of a potential JR. If changes to the judicial review process are not implemented effectively, there will be stunted progress on apartment delivery for many, many years to come.”
INCONSISTENT LOCAL AUTHORITY ENGAGEMENT
A key challenge is the inconsistency of planning rules and regulations across different local authorities. Ronan Columb observes a stark divide: “Some authorities are pro-development, very helpful, and have a sense of mission of collaboration and cooperation. Other local authorities have more of a controlling and regulating mentality and are more inclined to find reasons not to grant than they are to find reasons to grant.” He questions why, in an environment with a national sense of urgency, all local authorities are not operating on the basis that they should be “Trying to grant permissions rather than looking for reasons for refusal or looking for reasons to delay through further information requests.”
UTILITIES: A WELCOME SEACHANGE
One area where Ronan Columb has seen significant, positive improvement is in engagement with utility companies over the past 12 months. He comments, “Where engagement was previously focused on protecting and controlling their network, utilities are now trying to find ways of getting us access to their network. This fundamental shift is a sea-change that is to be welcomed.”
PIONEERING MODERN METHODS OF CONSTRUCTION
Castlethorn has a long-standing reputation as an industry disruptor, always looking to pioneer different and more efficient ways of building. This approach is central to its current strategy using Modern Methods of
Construction (MMC). The company generally utilises a hybrid approach to construction: Houses: Built using advanced timber frame, manufactured in factories, delivered to site in “flat packs”, and quickly erected. Apartments: Typically designed to be built using precast concrete, also fabricated off-site and assembled. The company exploits MMC to the maximum extent, provided that, according to Columb, “value is preserved”. “While the elemental cost may sometimes be higher, the gains in productivity, certainty of quality, and labour management make it worthwhile.” Columb highlights the speed advantage. “Once a timber frame house is erected, roofed, and windowed, a weatherproof shell is achieved within a week, allowing internal finishing to commence quickly.” Ronan Columb says Castlethorn is now looking for the “next incremental step” in MMC. “The current bottleneck is external finishing, which requires wrapping the building in scaffolding. This delays the completion of groundworks, adding time and cost. We are actively seeking an MMC solution that eliminates the need for scaffolding on external facades, enabling quicker site access and faster home delivery. Time on-site is one of the highest costs now for us in terms of the delivery component.” While there is significant innovation in the MMC space, a viability gap persists. New products often carry an elemental cost that is a “fraction of the cost of buying this as a composite unit.” On the next iteration of MMC, Ronan Columb adds, “For a housing market already challenged on viability, particularly for apartments, any innovation must reduce costs, not destroy value.
THE POWER OF COLLABORATIVE INFRASTRUCTURE DELIVERY Castlethorn is not waiting for the public sector to address all major infrastructure deficits. Their work on the Port Access Northern Cross Route (PANCR) in
INTERVIEW
Ballymakenny Village, Drogheda, Co Louth. the small financial incentive. For now, the primary business reality is the bottom line, which allows for investment in future projects. He believes that for true innovation to flourish, the cost differential between green and regular finance needs to be substantially greater over time.
THE CRITICAL NEED FOR PUBLIC SECTOR ALIGNMENT
Drogheda serves as a powerful, proven template for collaboration. Completed in March 2024, the PANCR is more than a road; it is the enabling infrastructure for up to 5,000 new homes north of Drogheda. Louth County Council had struggled to deliver this road for 20 years. Castlethorn proposed an innovative model, partnering with the local authority and the Housing Infrastructure Services Company (HISCo), which funds enabling infrastructure that is often difficult to finance traditionally. “From the first day we mooted it with the local authority to the day we cut the ribbon and opened the road, I think it was probably no more than 24 months,” says Columb. The result is a powerful catalyst. Castlethorn is now building thousands of units at Ballymakenny Park, and Ronan Columb observes that for every 100 units Castlethorn builds, at least another 100 are being built nearby by smaller developers. “This template proves the effectiveness of industry-led, collaborative infrastructure delivery, which is a much more efficient way of delivering infrastructure than going through public procurement. The challenge, however, is that this model requires an open-minded and creative local authority
leadership team, and a ‘can-do’ and will-do attitude, which “we don’t see enough of.”
LEADING THE WAY IN SUSTAINABILITY
Sustainability has always been a hallmark of Castlethorn’s innovative approach. The company was involved in one of the first House of Tomorrow schemes with SEAI in Adamstown in 2005 and delivered the country’s first NZEB (Nearly Zero Energy Building) scheme in Riverwood Square in 2019. “We have always felt that it was part of our role to innovate and get ahead of the regulations as they came along,” states Ronan Columb. “We are currently exploring the next step forward, whether that focuses on carbon reduction, envelope efficiency, or renewable energy. Whatever it is, our commitment is clear: You will see Castlethorn homes that are delivered in the near future being delivered to a higher sustainability standard than the current regulations require.” While Castlethorn has availed of Green Finance, Ronan Columb notes that the cost of qualifying sometimes outweighs
Ronan Columb’s greatest concern remains. “One key issue that risks derailing our company’s ambitious delivery targets is the pace of movement of the state sector and local authority sector. “Castlethorn is growing, investing in our business and our people at a rate designed to deliver significantly more units in a shorter period. We still don’t see that pace being matched on the public side, and this is cause for concern for the sector as a whole. “If the pace of implementation and processing by public bodies does not accelerate, Castlethorn will face the undesirable choice of having to slow down or reduce in scale, which, in the context of the country’s housing crisis, would be all the wrong things to do.”
IN CONCLUSION
Castlethorn has demonstrated its ability to deliver thousands of homes, along with the necessary infrastructure, through innovative, large-scale placemaking models. The company’s long history of disruption, commitment to MMC, and proven collaborative delivery models position it as a critical engine for Irish housing supply. Ronan Columb closes by saying, “The ball is now firmly in the court of the intermediary state bodies to adopt the ‘can-do’ mindset and match the industry’s urgency, ensuring that policy translates swiftly into action and that Castlethorn, and the wider sector, can reach our potential for the benefit of the national housing effort.”
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WAV I N
Wavin’s New AquaCell NG System – With Built In Flexibility
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o help manage excessive rainfall and improve climate resilience, Wavin, one of Ireland’s leading plumbing and drainage solutions providers, has expanded its innovative AquaCell range of infiltration /attenuation tanks with the addition of the new AquaCell NG. Designed to give contractors maximum flexibility on site, the system delivers considerable benefits.
NEXT GENERATION PERFORMANCE
The Wavin AquaCell NG system is produced using 100% recycled polypropylene and, in order to boost sustainability across all stages of a project, is fully recyclable at end of life. The design of the lightweight, compact, stackable unit delivers significant space savings, meaning site storage and transportation is reduced. In fact, the AquaCell NG system requires four times less storage space on site, allows for four times more units in each delivery, and requires four times less unloading time than previous systems. This results in both significant environmental and cost benefits. With modern construction top of mind, this new independently tested and certified system delivers a huge advance in the speed of attenuation tank construction. Aided by push-fit connections and a tool-free build, the new system is three times faster Wavin AquaCell NG installed on site in Wiltshire
to install than previous generations of AquaCell, while continuing to offer the same volume capacity. A distinctive circular guide on top of each unit helps ensure correct orientation and right-first-time installation. These built-in efficiencies mean less time spent on the excavation area, improving on-site safety for construction teams. In addition, open inspection channels, with no internal walls, enable the deployment of inspection and cleaning equipment.
FLEXIBILITY ON SITE
As the Wavin Aquacell NG system has recently launched in Ireland, it’s interesting to see how it has been successfully applied on two quite different projects in the UK. Demonstrating the system’s flexibility, both projects posed specific challenges in terms of space, efficiency and the required installation time frame. Firstly, a 110 home residential site in Nottinghamshire, for which main contractor M&J Evans needed a stormwater management system that was sustainable, easy to install and fit for the long term. With so many homes being built on site, the contractor needed to work quickly and efficiently without impacting other trades. There was limited storage on site and limited access times for delivery owing to the busy nature of the build. Installation
also took place during a very cold December with temperatures dropping to as low as -7°, so for the safety of the installation team, the system had to be quick and easy to install. Wavin Aquacell NG was selected and successfully installed in just five days, covering an area of 560m3. Secondly, a development by Wain Homes in Wiltshire, was on a site that presented significant design and technical challenges. Five attenuation tanks were required but site restrictions meant space was limited and design needed to be carefully optimised. Key to the project was the tank’s approval by Wessex Water. Working with Wavin’s Aquacell NG system meant fewer deliveries to site thanks to its compact design, less excavation time on site and easier handling, supporting both efficiency and health and safety. This combination of speed, sustainablility and long-term assurance meant that Wessex Water approval was achieved. To find out how the Wavin Aquacell NG system can impact your next project, use the QR code for installation videos and more or see www.wavin.com/ie
Wavin AquaCell NG install taking place on site in Nottinghamshire
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INTERVIEW
CGI render of LDA Lissenhall project, Swords.
LDA’s direct delivery pipeline maturing as unit output is set to triple in 2026 Phelim O’Neill, Director of Development, Land Development Agency, speaks with ROBBIE COUSINS about the agency’s significant achievements to date, explaining how its strategic interventions are maintaining vital construction skill sets, and outlining a future defined by dramatic increases in direct delivery and transformative placemaking.
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ith a headcount of over 250 and continued growth expected into 2026 and 2027, the LDA is firmly established as an essential component of the national housing strategy, dedicated to expediting the delivery of quality, affordable homes and creating the next generation of sustainable Irish communities. For Phelim O’Neill, the message is clear: the Land Development Agency (LDA) has moved past the foundational phase and has now entered a period of substantial, visible delivery. He offers a compelling view of the state’s affordable housing delivery body. Since its formal establishment as a commercial state company in March 2022, following the passage of the Land Development Agency Act 2021, the LDA has been transitioning from an interim body to a crucial, high-impact force in the Irish housing market. Its core mandate is not just about building houses; it is about leveraging public land for housing, assembling strategic landbanks, and fundamentally reshaping how sustainable, mixed-tenure communities are created across the nation.
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THE FRUITS OF LDA LABOUR
According to Phelim O’Neill, “From a 2025 perspective, we’ve been active on sites for quite a while now. The development life cycle of any project is about five to six years. So we’re now seeing the fruits of much of that labour. The cumulative effort over the past few years is beginning to translate into tangible results on the ground, marking a pivotal moment in the agency’s trajectory. The figures for 2025 demonstrate a significant uptick in completed units. Between its Project Tosaigh initiative — which partners with homebuilders to acquire and accelerate the delivery of private homes as affordable housing—and Direct Delivery on State-owned land, the agency expects to deliver “well over 800 units this year”. This figure is projected to be split approximately 50-50 between the two delivery channels, Project Tosaigh and Direct Delivery. More impressively, the LDA’s cumulative delivery will reach a total of nearly 3,000 units by the end of 2025. This momentum is set to accelerate sharply next year, with O’Neill expecting over 2,400
INTERVIEW units to be delivered in 2026 alone. This surge in output signals that the large-scale projects, which take years to plan and commence, are now reaching completion phase. The forward-looking trend points towards a significant shift in the delivery mix. While Project Tosaigh was originally conceived to deliver 8,000 units by 2028 and remains vital, he states that the future trend will be “much more toward direct delivery.” This indicates that the LDA’s own pipeline of projects on public land is maturing, allowing the agency to strategically reduce reliance on purchasing units through the Project Tosaigh fund as more of its own schemes come online.
SUPPORTING THE CONSTRUCTION SECTOR: RETAINING VITAL SKILLS
The LDA’s strategic function extends beyond simply increasing the housing stock; it plays a critical, stabilising role for the broader construction ecosystem. The recent slowdown, or “almost stopping,” of large-scale Private Rental Sector (PRS) projects posed a serious threat to the skills and capacity of the construction industry, particularly in apartment delivery. Phelim O’Neill is emphatic that the LDA’s large projects have been instrumental in preventing a significant loss of expertise. The agency’s continuous activity has effectively “kept developer teams together, and it has also kept contractor teams together.” This intervention ensures that the specialised skillset required for complex, high-density apartment construction is “retained within the industry” for when the private PRS market eventually recovers. This capacity-maintenance role is complemented by the LDA’s commitment to working with a diverse range of partners. In looking for developing partners, the LDA is actively engaging with the medium-sized contractor and developer market, classifying Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) as those employing 50 to 250 people—a category that includes almost everyone “bar the PLCs.” We engage with the industry, through the Construction Industry Federation (CIF), for example, to understand what the key drivers are for contractors “For every scheme that we get to market, we do a pre-engagement session to understand what criteria contractors would work within. Because if we put out a proposal that doesn’t suit contractors, we don’t get tenders. “We listen, we adjust our requirements to suit their needs because what we want is competitive tension. And every scheme is delivered in a bespoke manner.” The agency has schemes underway with developers in locations like Balbriggan and Skerries, and over half of its six current tender schemes are being progressed through this developer model. This approach is strategic: it taps into existing capacity within the sector
Phelim O’Neill, Director of Development, Land Development Agency.
“For all levels of efficiencies that we’ve brought forward, standardisation is the critical first step. So now we’ve got to a stage where private sector developers are rolling out the LDA typologies.” while maintaining a focus on larger schemes for maximum impact. He explains: “Our preference is to facilitate 500 units over 50 units when deploying internal teams, ensuring the best bang for our buck and that we focus on impactful, large-scale delivery.”
THE INNOVATION IMPERATIVE: STANDARDISATION AND SUSTAINABILITY
CGI render of recently approved on Dyke Road project, Galway, a partnership with Galway City Council.
Innovation, particularly in construction methods and design, has been a hallmark of the LDA’s strategy. Phelim O’Neill highlights the agency’s apartment typology work as the “best example” of its impact. “The LDA has published standardised apartment designs optimised for Modern Methods of Construction (MMC). This standardisation is deemed the “critical first step” in driving efficiency and cost-effectiveness. This initiative is already yielding results. The consistency in unit types makes it significantly easier for the MMC manufacturing industry to produce more sustainable and cost-effective elements that can be incorporated across all LDA projects, and increasingly,
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INTERVIEW five to six years. This large-scale development brings the concept of Placemaking to the fore. O’Neill is clear that the LDA’s approach is not simply about building homes but ensuring a holistic, sustainable environment. “A huge effort is being put into creating sustainable town centres on these larger projects with the necessary community, social, and commercial facilities to meet residents’ needs.” The LDA is actively addressing the proven failure of “mono tenure schemes,” whether private or public. On large landbanks like Clongriffin, the opportunity exists to create mixed-tenure communities, blending cost rental and social homes with affordable purchase apartments. The agency recently brought 40 affordable purchase apartments to the market in Shanganagh, Shankill, in partnership with Dun LaoghaireRathdown County Council, which saw “huge interest” due to government subventions. He comments, “This indicates a positive shift towards apartments being not just for rent, but a viable option for purchase, providing a real anchor to the community in these new areas.”
REGIONAL ACTIVATION AND MULTI-ANNUAL STABILITY The LDA in partnership with Cork City Council plans to deliver 147 new homes at Anglesea Terrace in Cork. those in the private sector. He adds, “For all levels of efficiencies that we’ve brought forward, standardisation is the critical first step. So now we’ve got to a stage where the LDA typologies are being rolled out by private sector developers.” Furthermore, the LDA is deeply invested in innovation in the sustainability space. Recognising that many new building systems available in Ireland have not been tested at scale, the agency has become a patron member of Construct Innovate. This collaboration facilitates the collection of real-time data through life cycle analysis of deployed buildings, directly informing future design decisions. O’Neill stresses that this is about more than just immediate performance; it’s about a comprehensive understanding of building life cycle and costings. “This involves evaluating elements that may work well initially but prove expensive to replace down the line. We are committed to “learning the lessons and trying not to make a mistake twice, an approach that is underpinned by a robust sustainability strategy that prioritises evidence-based decision-making.”
KEY PROJECTS AND TRANSFORMATIVE PLACEMAKING
The LDA’s portfolio includes some of the most significant housing projects underway in the country, demonstrating its capacity for delivering complex, large-scale developments and entire new urban districts. Two major Dublin projects currently on site include: • Donore Project, St Teresa’s Gardens, Dublin: A partnership with Dublin City Council (DCC) making “exceptionally good progress,” with nearly 550 homes expected to come on stream towards the end of the following year. • Cherry Orchard Point: A very large partnership development with DCC adjacent to Parkwest train station, slated to deliver over 1,000 units, which is expected to be “very transformative for the area.” In terms of strategic land acquisition, the recent purchase of lands in Clongriffin and Baldoyle is hugely significant. Located on either side of the Clongriffin train station, this landbank provides capacity for nearly 4,000 new homes. The LDA is creating an entirely new area that could house over 10,000 people over the next
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While major Dublin projects dominate headlines, the LDA is highly active across all the regional cities, a commitment that is set to deepen under the new government plan, ‘Delivering Homes, Building Communities: An Action Plan on Housing Supply and Targeting Homelessness’. “We are in partnership with Clarendon on Horgan’s Quay through Project Tosaigh and Glenveagh in the Marina Quarter. We’re out to tender on the ESB Wilton site, and we’re after purchasing the Bord na Mona site in the Cork docklands. We have a partnership with Cork City Council to resource and operate the Docklands Delivery Office, and we are currently working on several other projects in the background. In Limerick, we have submitted planning for the old Gas Network Ireland site on the Dock Road. This is for about 250 units. We are in partnership with the city council in Mungret to deliver affordable for sale homes. “We’ve delivered units in Castletroy through Project Tosaigh, and we are progressing the infrastructure master plan for the brownfield mixed-use site of over 50 hectares at the Colbert Station area of Limerick City with the city council, CIE, and the HSE. In Galway, we have 350 units on site in Crown Square with JJ Rhatigan through Project Tosaigh. We have just received planning in partnership with Galway City Council on the Dyke Road, and we’ve lodged a very nice scheme in the port for 350 apartments.” Phelim O Neill says the government’s Delivering Homes, Building Communities plan is a huge endorsement for the LDA team, providing the multi-annual stability necessary to continue its work. “Critically, the plan calls out the importance of land acquisition, an area where we continue to have great success, securing key sites in Clongriffin, Baldoyle, Bluebell, Cherrywood, and Cookstown, Tallaght. These acquisitions are vital, ensuring the raw material – the land that we purchase – gives us a strong pipeline, which in turn gives us long-term sustainability to deliver projects.”
FOCUS ON IMPLEMENTABLE MASTERPLANS
The LDA’s approach to large land banks is defined by an emphasis on implementability. The agency has a land activation division focused on masterplans and framework plans. Phelim O Neill explains that the fundamental difference in the LDA’s approach is a determination to avoid plans that “sit on a shelf unutilised”. “When the LDA creates a plan, we are conscious that it has to be implementable, and we are always moving towards the first shovel-ready phase, whether that is for infrastructure or a building
INTERVIEW
Approved project for old Gas Networks site on the Dock Road, Limerick, a partnership with Limerick City Council. project.” A prime example of this is the acquisition of the very large landbank around the planned Metro terminal station in Lissenhall, just north of Swords. “This site has the potential to deliver a new town. The focus is on ensuring that civil and social infrastructure is prioritised. Schools and healthcare first, followed by public transport with the Metro North. The goal is to ensure that when people move in, they have a functioning, vibrant place from day one. The delivery of schemes will be aligned with the Metro North schedule, with the expectation of a very active delivery programme in the next five to seven years, aligned with the “first Metro carriage pulling in at the station.” The transfer of public lands to the LDA has been a significant success, allowing the delivery of schemes like the affordable for sale homes in Naas at the old Devoy Barracks. The most highprofile recent public land deal involves Horse Racing Ireland at Leopardstown, where a collaborative relationship is progressing with a site masterplan.
METRICS AND LESSONS LEARNED: THE JUDICIAL REVIEW WINDOW
Phelim O Neill points out that the two core metrics by which the LDA “live and die” are home delivery and the granting of an implementable permission. The planning process, in particular, has necessitated a significant shift in operational strategy. He highlights the criticality of the Judicial Review (JR) window. “Project planning cannot properly start until the 10 or 11 weeks following the final grant of permission have passed. Only once through this JR window can the agency start to programme with certainty and control the subsequent timeline.” He adds, “Crucially, we now perform internal legal reviews to ensure all submissions are robust and will stand up to the everincreasing scrutiny of the planning process.” The LDA’s ability to successfully navigate this landscape is also based on a highly collaborative approach and a focus on robustness. Phelim O’Neill explains that the agency maintains monthly engagements with infrastructure providers, such as Uisce Éireann, ESB Networks and transport providers to ensure balance and prevent “clangers that come out of left field.” “This is a two-way communication, allowing us to understand
constraints— for example, a provider’s inability to service an entire site in the first phase — which then informs our planning strategy.” The agency is also highly responsive to the market, employing an “horses for courses” approach to contracting. It has successfully used Design & Build and employer-led contracts, and critically, has leveraged the Early Contractor Involvement (ECI) model on the Donore project in Dublin with John Paul Construction. “This collaborative ECI approach has delivered efficiencies in both programme and cost by leveraging the main contractor’s skill set early in the process.”
A CALL TO DISRUPTORS
Phelim O’Neill’s final message to the market is an open invitation to bring forward innovative approaches that will help the LDA achieve its goals: “Our focus is on the delivery of quality homes, and expediting the delivery of quality homes at an affordable price. If there are people out there who have ideas on how that can be done in compliance with public procurement, we want to speak with them. We’re looking to expedite our delivery ambitions. We’ve proven through our delivery channels such as Project Tosaigh, development partnerships and through different contracting channels, that we listen to the market, we hear what it has to say, and we try to put out balanced, fair competitions for schemespecific needs.”
IN CONCLUSION
As the LDA decisively moves into its phase of substantial, visible delivery, evidenced by a dramatic increase in projected output for 2026 and the maturation of its Direct Delivery pipeline, the agency is fulfilling its mandate to be a crucial force for stability and innovation in the Irish housing market. The LDA is now not only tackling the housing supply challenge through strategic land acquisition and rigorous, legally robust planning processes, but is fundamentally focused on creating sustainable, mixed-tenure places where communities can thrive from day one. With a growing team and the firm endorsement of the government’s multi-annual plan, the LDA is positioned not merely as a state developer, but as a key national partner, listening intently to the market and leveraging both collaboration and standardised innovation to secure the long-term future of quality, affordable homebuilding across Ireland’s cities and regions.
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EIB
EiB Ireland: Strategic Bid Excellence for a Transforming Nation
A
s Ireland accelerates its infrastructure transformation, EiB Ireland stands as a trusted partner in helping organisations secure and deliver the nation’s most critical projects. With a proven track record, deep sector knowledge and a collaborative approach, EiB Ireland is uniquely placed to help organisations grow.
WHO EIB IRELAND ARE
EiB Ireland is part of EiB Group, a strategic bid consultancy established in 1992, with offices in Dublin, Belfast, and across the UK. Their team of 37 bid professionals has supported clients in securing over €110 billion in contracts across the UK and Ireland over the past eight years, with an average win rate of 83% across all sectors. From their dedicated Dublin office, they provide tailored, high-impact bid support to clients across Ireland’s infrastructure landscape, including roads, rail, light rail, energy, water, gas, ports, and aviation. Their mission is simple: to build effective partnerships that unlock the potential and success of their clients.
WHAT EIB IRELAND DO
At the heart of their approach is The EiB Way, a structured, flexible framework that supports clients throughout the bid lifecycle: • Strategy & Win Planning: Defining compelling win themes, aligning solutions with buyer needs, and
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EiB developing strategies that resonate with evaluators Fit to Bid and Fit to Procure Assessments: Assessing organisational readiness to compete effectively, identifying gaps in capability, compliance, and resources, and providing actionable recommendations to strengthen position before tendering • Bid Management & Writing: Delivering high-quality, technically robust responses, ensuring consistency, compliance and clarity • Behavioural Assessments & Coaching: Preparing teams for interviews and presentations, using behavioural coaching to enhance confidence and performance • Review & Challenge: Acting as a ‘critical friend’, constructively challenging content to ensure every response meets the highest standards. Whether it is pre-bid positioning, live tender support, or postsubmission learning, EiB Ireland delivers value for clients at every stage of the bid lifecycle. •
MEET JOHN ENNIS - OPERATIONS DIRECTOR, IRELAND
Leading EiB’s operations in Ireland is Operations Director John Ennis, with extensive experience in the Irish infrastructure market. Based in Dublin, John brings a wealth of local knowledge in bid strategy, stakeholder engagement and technical writing. His leadership ensures every submission is not only compliant but compelling, tailored to the unique expectations of both Irish and Northern Irish contracting authorities. With over a decade of experience in procurement and bid management across Ireland, John has supported clients in the public and private sectors to secure complex, high-value contracts. His work spans multiple sectors, including transport infrastructure, water and wastewater, energy and social infrastructure. This includes leading and supporting successful tenders across frameworks and projects funded by Transport Infrastructure Ireland, Uisce Éireann, Iarnrod Éireann and the National Transport Authority (NTA), among others. Bringing a background in construction and contracts management, John offers a deeper understanding of the technical and practical aspects of bidding, enabling him to share valuable insights with clients and strengthen the quality and competitiveness of submissions.
PROVEN SUCCESS IN IRELAND
EiB Ireland has played a pivotal role in securing landmark contracts, including: • M28 Cork to Ringaskiddy Motorway (€220m): Delivered strategic bid direction and technical writing, achieving 100% scores on three quality questions • NTA Next Generation Ticketing (€1.2–2.8bn): Provided 18 months of strategic support, bid writing, and review, helping secure Ireland’s largest ticketing contract to date • Uisce Éireann PMO Framework: Supported the successful bid for all three lots of the five-year framework, contributing to Ireland’s decarbonisation and water infrastructure goals • Dublin & Jack Lynch Tunnel Operations (€600m): Supported a client to re-tender for Transport Infrastructure Ireland’s tunnel operations and motorway control, managing a complex 18-month process • ESB HV Cable Framework (€25m+): Delivered strategic direction and bid writing for high-voltage cable projects under tight deadlines • Uisce Éireann Engineering Design Services (€3.5bn): Supported clients through a seven-year framework bid aligned with Uisce Éireann’s capital investment plan. These examples of bid success reflect EiB’s ability to deliver results under pressure, manage complex stakeholder environments and align submissions with national priorities.
John Ennis - Operations Director, EiB Ireland
SUPPORTING IRELAND’S INFRASTRUCTURE FUTURE
Ireland’s infrastructure pipeline is vast and evolving. Under Project Ireland 2040, the government is investing €165 billion in capital projects, with major opportunities in: • Public Transport: MetroLink, BusConnects, DART+ West & South West • Roads: Strategic routes including M28 and motorway upgrades • Utilities & Water: Wastewater treatment plants and water network upgrades • Social Infrastructure: Healthcare facilities, schools, and housing regeneration. EiB Ireland is uniquely positioned to help clients respond to these opportunities. Their sector-specific expertise, combined with a collaborative and agile approach, ensures that clients are compliant and competitive. As Ireland invests in a greener, more connected future, EiB Ireland is proud to support the organisations shaping that journey. To learn more or collaborate with EiB Ireland, contact: John Ennis Operations Director, EiB Ireland Email: John. Ennis@eibgroup.ie Ph: +353 8766 03632 web: www.eibgroup.ie
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OPINION
Innovation & Efficiency: How AI is transforming design and equipment performance across Ireland’s construction sector this winter PAUL LYNCH of 8020 Consulting writes about how AI could be transforming Irish construction this winter, with Generative Design helping architects and engineers to rapidly create optimal, sustainable building plans, and Predictive Maintenance using sensors to help project managers prevent equipment breakdowns, boosting efficiency and reliability amid labour shortages and cold weather.
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alk onto any construction site in Ireland this winter, and the tension is immediately familiar. Demand remains high across housing, data centres, life sciences and large-scale public infrastructure. Yet seasonal pressures, from shorter daylight hours to unpredictable weather, combine with long-standing structural challenges: labour shortages, skills gaps, rising materials prices and a regulatory environment that continues to tighten all weigh heavily on our minds at this time. Ask any project director in Dublin, Cork or Galway today, and they’ll tell you the same thing: Keeping projects moving through November and December requires precision, resilience and an ability to anticipate problems before they happen. It’s no longer enough to react to delays or equipment failures; teams need foresight. They need intelligence. And increasingly, that intelligence is coming from artificial intelligence (AI). Just as AI has already begun reshaping safety, procurement and compliance in Irish construction, a new wave of technologies is now moving from concept to jobsite reality. Two of the most impactful are ‘Generative Design’, which is transforming how Ireland designs and engineers buildings, and ‘Predictive Maintenance’, which is keeping machinery running during the toughest months of the year. These innovations are not futuristic ideas they are practical solutions to real, everyday challenges that Irish contractors face right now.
GENERATIVE DESIGN: REIMAGINING ARCHITECTURE AND ENGINEERING FOR IRELAND’S NEEDS
For decades, design teams have relied on iterative processes - modelling one option, reviewing it, altering it, and slowly working toward a workable plan. That approach is thoughtful, but it’s slow and makes it difficult to explore the full range of possibilities for cost, sustainability, buildability, and planning compliance.
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Generative design changes everything.
HOW THE TECHNOLOGY WORKS
Using AI trained on structural engineering data, material performance, sustainability metrics and building regulations, generative design tools allow teams to input goals rather than drawings: • Maximum budget • Carbon reduction targets • Site orientation and constraints • Planning regulations from Irish local authorities • Desired building lifecycle • Structural performance requirements The AI then generates thousands of possible configurations, structural systems, layouts, material combinations, and ranks them based on cost, carbon, safety, efficiency and buildability. Instead of one or two design options, Irish engineers can now consider dozens or hundreds, each optimised for different constraints.
WHY GENERATIVE DESIGN MATTERS IN IRELAND
Ireland’s construction landscape is uniquely complex: • Urban density in cities like Dublin and Cork creates tight sites with intricate staging requirements • County-level variations in planning guidance demand adherence to highly localised rules • A push toward NZEB, LEED and BREEAM standards has made sustainability as central as costs • Materials shortages require flexible design pathways. Generative design is emerging as the tool that resolves these competing pressures.
FASTER DESIGN, CLEANER BUILDINGS
Irish developers are increasingly seeking buildings that meet strict sustainability standards without inflating cost. AI can automatically:
Paul Lynch, CEO, 8020 Consulting. •
Identify structural solutions that reduce steel usage by 10–25% • Recommend low-carbon materials that still meet Irish building codes • Simulate solar gain, heat loss and daylight penetration for Part L compliance • Optimise M&E layouts for energy performance What once required weeks of multidisciplinary coordination can now be delivered in hours.
BETTER OUTCOMES FOR PLANNERS, DESIGNERS AND DEVELOPERS
For architects, engineers, QS teams and planning consultants, generative design becomes a collaborative partner, not a replacement. • Architects can gain more creative range • Engineers can run structural permutations instantly • QS teams can receive accurate material and cost estimates earlier • Developers can gain certainty before committing capital. In an Irish market that often sees design revisions triggered late by environmental constraints or planning observations, generative design reduces risk from day one.
PREDICTIVE MAINTENANCE AND EQUIPMENT EFFICIENCY: KEEPING IRELAND’S WINTER PROJECTS MOVING
If generative design strengthens the frontend of construction, predictive maintenance strengthens the operational heart of every Irish job site: the machinery. Winter is historically the most challenging season for equipment in Ireland. Cold starts, moisture, frost, mud, electrical failures and extended working hours place enormous
OPINION strain on everything from excavators and telehandlers to tower cranes and site generators. A single breakdown can derail an entire week’s programme - and when daylight is limited to eight hours, lost time compounds rapidly.
WHERE PREDICTIVE MAINTENANCE FITS IN
Predictive maintenance uses a combination of ‘IoT sensors’, ‘AI analytics’ and ‘historical performance data’ to detect equipment problems before they occur. Sensors monitor: • Hydraulic pressure • Fuel efficiency • Lubricant contamination • Electrical performance • Gearbox vibration • Battery degradation (especially for hybrid/electric plant) • Temperature fluctuations • Wear patterns on pins, tracks and motors AI models analyse the incoming data in real time, detecting anomalies invisible to the human eye.
WHY IT MATTERS MORE IN IRELAND’S WINTER
Irish winter conditions accelerate nearly every form of mechanical stress: • Cold temperatures thicken hydraulic fluids • Moisture accelerates corrosion • Frost compromises electrical components • Extended generator usage strains engines • High humidity affects sensors and control systems • Soft, wet ground conditions increase track wear Predictive maintenance becomes not a luxury, but a necessity. Practical benefits for Irish contractors Dramatically reduced downtime: Crews receive early alerts, sometimes days in advance, on likely failures • Safer winter operations: Equipment failures on scaffolding, lifts or cranes can be catastrophic; early detection prevents •
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incidents Lower maintenance costs: Instead of replacing parts reactively (and expensively), teams replace them strategically Better fleet utilisation: Plant managers can decide which machines to rotate, rest or service based on real data More predictable scheduling: In winter, stability is everything - predictive insights reduce disruption to labour planning, deliveries and subcontractor sequencing.
SITE-LEVEL IMPACT ACROSS IRELAND
Across housing developments in Limerick, road projects in Mayo, data centre expansions in Meath and commercial builds in Dublin, AI-driven maintenance is helping: • Keep cranes operational despite cold winds • Ensure generators remain stable through storms • Predict failures in critical heating equipment used for concrete curing • Avoid costly callouts during holiday shutdown periods It’s a simple truth: A site with working machines is a site that stays on programme.
THE COMBINED POWER OF DESIGN INTELLIGENCE AND EQUIPMENT INTELLIGENCE
Where generative design strengthens the planning phase and predictive maintenance strengthens execution, their combined effect is significant: • Cleaner, more efficient designs reduce long-term energy demand • Optimised structural solutions reduce material imports during a volatile period • Reliable equipment reduces labour downtime during winter’s worst weeks • Better design decisions upstream reduce risk downstream. AI becomes the thread that ties design, planning, procurement and site operations together, much like AI is already tying together safety and supply chain stability on Irish sites today.
WHY THIS MATTERS FOR IRELAND’S CONSTRUCTION FUTURE
These aren’t speculative technologies. They are already being deployed globally and are beginning to appear on Irish projects, often quietly, often in pilot form, but always with measurable impact. The Irish construction sector, shaped by risk, regulation and rising expectations, is perfectly positioned to benefit from AI interventions to achieve the following. • More sustainable buildings: With Ireland accelerating toward climate obligations and stricter energy standards, generative
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design provides a scalable way to reduce carbon without increasing cost More resilient winter operations: Predictive maintenance ensures site activity doesn’t grind to a halt when the weather turns Stronger margins in a tight market: Both tools reduce waste - material waste, time waste, and equipment waste - and in a market with thin margins, that matters Better compliance and governance: AIgenerated design trails and predictive maintenance logs provide auditable insights for regulators, insurers and clients Gain a competitive edge: Firms that adopt AI early position themselves as leaders - more reliable, more innovative and more capable of navigating complexity.
FINAL THOUGHTS: A SMARTER, MORE PREDICTABLE PATH FORWARD
It’s easy to dismiss AI as just a current buzzword. But as we saw across Irish sites this autumn, with AI improving safety oversight, supporting procurement teams and strengthening compliance workflows, the value is real and growing. Now, as we operate through another Irish winter, innovation and efficiency become more than strategic goals; they become operational necessities. Generative design gives Irish construction a way to design better, faster and greener. Predictive maintenance provides project teams a way to build through winter with confidence. Together, these AI capabilities offer something rare in construction: ‘Predictability’. In an industry defined by risk, those who learn to anticipate it rather than simply react to it will thrive.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR Paul Lynch is the CEO at 8020 Consulting, where he advises business leaders on digital transformation and the strategic adoption of artificial intelligence. With a background in offsite construction, Paul brings a practical, data-driven approach to helping organisations navigate disruption, comply with evolving regulations, and capture measurable value from emerging technologies. He has a particular focus on AI in highly regulated sectors, including construction, where he works with clients to build sustainable capability and competitive advantage. To learn more, visit www.8020consulting.ie or email Paul at Paul@8020consulting.ie
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S E C TO R F O C U S
Irish construction sector to rebound strongly in 2027 According to the latest forecast from CIS, Ireland’s construction market is poised for a strong return to growth, with project starts forecast to rise by 10% by 2027, driven by a rebound in housing activity and record government capital investment in key infrastructure, health, and education projects.
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ew CIS forecast shows Irish construction market set to grow 10% by 2027, powered by renewed housing activity and record public investment in infrastructure, education and health. Ireland’s construction market is expected to return to robust growth from 2026 onwards, with the total value of project starts (projects under €100m) forecast to rise by 11% in 2026 and a further 10% in 2027, according to the new ‘Construction Industry Forecast 2026–2027’ from CIS, powered by Hubexo. The report shows that, despite a muted 1% increase in 2025, the value of project starts in Ireland is projected to expand from €16.6bn in 2024 to more than €20.4bn by 2027. Growth will be driven by renewed residential activity and stepped-up public investment in infrastructure, education and health. Civil engineering and commercial projects are set to lead the way, with project-start values projected to grow by 20% by 2027. They are followed by 15% growth in education and 10% growth in community, hospitality and sport projects. The residential sector is expected to deliver a more modest 5% cumulative growth by 2027.
ECONOMY EXPECTED TO GROW STEADILY
Economic conditions remain broadly supportive. The Central Bank of Ireland expects GDP growth of 10.1% in 2025, with continued expansion in modified domestic demand and a strong labour market underpinning construction activity through 2026 and 2027. Unemployment is forecast to remain below 5%, while inflation is expected to hover around 1.4–1.8% over the forecast horizon, creating a relatively stable cost environment for the industry. Dave Thompson, VP for UK and Ireland at CIS, said, “After an exceptional surge in housing commencements in 2024 and a pause in 2025, the Irish construction market is poised to move back onto a solid growth path. A combination of strong underlying demand, particularly for housing, and higher government capital allocations is set to support double-digit increases in project starts through 2027.”
RESIDENTIAL MARKET: A PAUSE IN 2025 BEFORE RENEWED GROWTH
Ireland’s housing market remains under intense pressure from a growing population and strong economic performance. A temporary waiver of certain connection and development levies encouraged a large spike in commencements in 2024, when an estimated 138,120 units were started. The surge in starts was driven by temporary waivers on water connections and levies paid to councils, provided that works are completed by the end of 2026. With many schemes brought forward into 2024, the value of residential project starts is expected to retreat by around one-fifth in 2025. Having doubled last year, the value of residential project starts is expected to fall back by 29% during 2025, and just 7,896 new homes commenced in the first nine months of 2025. However, approval activity has remained resilient. Residential permissions in the first nine months of 2025 are around 10% higher than a year earlier, pointing to a return to growth from
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S E C TO R F O C U S 2026 onwards. CIS forecasts a 10% increase in the value of residential starts in 2026 and a further 5% in 2027. The development pipeline has remained firm, with the value of residential approvals during the first nine months of 2025 up 10% on the same period a year earlier. This strengthening pipeline, combined with the positive economic outlook, is expected to support renewed sector growth during 2026 and 2027. Dave Thompson added, “The pull-back in 2025 is best seen as a breather after an extraordinary year for housing starts. With a solid pipeline of approved schemes and continued policy focus on the housing shortage, we expect residential activity to pick up again from 2026.”
PUBLIC INVESTMENT TO POWER NONRESIDENTIAL AND CIVIL ENGINEERING GROWTH
Government capital spending is set to be a major engine of growth over the forecast period. Budget 2025 included a record €11.8bn allocation for education, with capital funding rising to around €1.3bn to support hundreds of new and ongoing building projects. Budget 2026 has taken this further, increasing capital allocations again. CIS expects the value of education project starts to jump by more than 70% in 2025, followed by additional growth of 10% in 2026 and 15% in 2027. Health spending is also being ramped up, with capital expenditure increasing from approximately €1.5bn in 2024 to €1.83bn in 2025. A strong planning pipeline – detailed consents in the sector have risen sharply since 2023 – is expected to translate into a near two-thirds surge in the value of health project starts in 2025 and continued growth in 2026 and 2027. Nearly €15bn has been earmarked for capital expenditure in 2025 in civil engineering and infrastructure projects to tackle infrastructure gaps affecting competitiveness, supported by a significant one-off tax windfall. CIS forecasts that civil engineering starts will rise by 11% in 2025 and then accelerate by 20% in both 2026 and 2027 as transport, utilities and other major schemes move on site.
COMMERCIAL, INDUSTRIAL AND RETAIL: STEADY BUT UNEVEN RECOVERY
The outlook for private non-residential sectors is more mixed but broadly positive. Ongoing uncertainty around global trade policy, particularly for major exporting industries such as pharmaceuticals, medical devices and food, is expected to keep industrial project starts slightly below 2024 levels in 2025. CIS projects a 3% decline in 2025, followed by modest growth of around 4% per year in 2026 and 2027. In the commercial sector, Dublin’s office market is recovering as employers refine hybrid working models and focus on highquality, Grade A space. After a strong rebound in project starts in 2025, a relatively thin pipeline is likely to constrain growth in 2026, before activity strengthens again in 2027. Rising household incomes and population growth have
Dave Thompson, VP for UK and Ireland, CIS. supported robust retail sales, with grocery-led, communityfocused formats acting as a key driver of construction demand. CIS forecasts an almost 50% increase in the value of retail project starts in 2025, followed by further, albeit slower, growth in 2026 and 2027 as online shopping continues to reshape demand for traditional retail space.
EXPERT INSIGHTS
The full findings and many more sector-by-sector breakdowns are available in the new Construction Industry Forecast 2025– 2027 from CIS. Packed with expert insights, the report delivers tailored, data-driven intelligence to help construction industry professionals in Ireland grow their business, mitigate risk and make well-informed strategic decisions.
KEY INSIGHTS FROM THE CIS CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY FORECAST 2026–2027 (IRELAND) OVERALL MARKET GROWTH • • • • • •
Total value of project starts (projects under €100m) forecast to grow by 11% in 2026 and 10% in 2027. Market expansion from €16.6bn in 2024 to over €20.4bn by 2027. Sector performance to 2027 (by value of project starts), Civil engineering & commercial: 20% growth by 2027. Education: 15% growth by 2027, with a jump of 70% in 2025 alone. Community, hospitality & sport: 10% growth by 2027. Residential: more modest 5% cumulative growth by 2027 after a sharp 2024 spike and 2025 pull-back.
RESIDENTIAL MARKET DYNAMICS
138,120 housing units estimated to have commenced in 2024, driven by temporary waivers on water connections and development levies (for projects completed by end-2026). Residential approvals remain robust: value of residential approvals in the first nine months of 2025 is 10% higher yearon-year, supporting CIS forecasts of +10% residential starts in 2026 and +5% in 2027.
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Mid-size construction firms boost productivity by 20% with AI – but wider industry lagging
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new survey, from the Dublinbased AI Institute, has found that mid-size firms in the construction industry have boosted productivity by as much as 20% in recent years by becoming early adopters of AI tools. According to the report, ‘AI in the Built Environment’, the trend among mid-size firms stands in contrast to the rest of the construction industry, where fewer than one in three (30%) companies provide AI literacy training to staff, and just one in five (20%) have AI policies governing the use of AI tools. The fallout of these failings, the report says, is that ‘shadow use’ of AI tools across the industry is leaving firms vulnerable to data breaches and other cybersecurity challenges. The AI in the Built Environment report, carried out by the AI Institute, was officially launched at an event at Engineers Ireland. The AI Institute is a Dublin-based company offering AI training, strategic advice, and solutions support with implementing AI tools. On top of calling for the introduction of formal AI policies and mandatory AI literacy training, the AI Institute report urges companies to standardise their data with the aim of creating industry-wide protocols for homogenous data collection and sharing, to enable AI models to communicate reliably across different
Stephen Redmond, AI Strategy; Maryrose Lyons, Founder, AI Institute; and Eamonn Dunne, AI Solutions; with the ‘AI in the Built Environment’ report at its launch at Engineers Ireland. projects and between various stakeholders. Maryrose Lyons, Founder of the AI Institute, says, “Our report, AI Adoption in the Built Environment, sets out clearly the challenges facing the construction industry in terms of AI adoption, the reluctance in
many quarters to embrace the opportunity that AI brings, and the value of being a mid-size player with the ability to move early to implement a new AI strategy quickly.”
Kirby Christmas charity campaign
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irby Group Engineering has launched its annual international Christmas charity campaign, supporting causes across Ireland, the UK, Italy, Sweden, and South Africa. This festive initiative is a key part of the company’s commitment to giving back to the communities where its over 1,900 employees work. The primary beneficiary, Make-A-Wish Ireland, will receive €50,000. UNICEF and the Irish Red Cross will each receive €25,000. The Wallich (supporting homeless people in Wales) and Alzheimer Scotland will each receive £10,000. These Christmas donations bring Kirby’s total support for good causes in 2025 to €320,000. Kirby CEO Henry McCann stated that the initiative is an important part of the company’s activities, emphasising the privilege of supporting “wonderful causes at what can be a difficult time of year for many people” and the importance of giving back to local communities.
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Kirby Group Engineering CEO Henry McCann with Susan O’Dwyer, CEO, Make-A-Wish Ireland.
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Students from Columba College, Killucan, pictured at Bennett Construction HQ as part of the partnership with Shay Murtagh Precast on a Careers in Construction Work Experience Programme.
Bennett Construction and Shay Murtagh Precast deliver immersive work experience week for 29 students
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ennett Construction and Shay Murtagh Precast have once again joined forces to host a comprehensive Careers in Construction Work Experience Programme. Delivered to 29 Transition Year students from Columba College in Killucan, this initiative highlights the growing interest in construction and engineering career pathways. While it initially began as a placement for 12 female students completing the STEM Passport for Inclusion with Maynooth University, overwhelming demand and strong collaboration with the school led to its expansion. This successful partnership builds upon the Construction Industry Federation’s (CIF) dedicated, educationfocused efforts, which also include the Constructing Careers Programme and the STEM Passport (STEMP) for Inclusion Programme with Maynooth University. Over five consecutive days, students experienced a meaningful blend of classroom learning, industry training, on-site construction exposure, and factorybased engineering insight. The programme included: • Introductions to company ambassadors from Bennett Construction and Shay Murtagh, including overviews of their operations, career opportunities and various routes into the industry. • Completion of CIF Safe Pass training, enabling students to understand core safety requirements in the construction sector. • A visit to Bennett Construction’s live Cromcastle Residential Development in
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Coolock, a live 146-unit housing project for the LDA, where students engaged directly with engineers, managers, and the wider site team. A guided tour of the Shay Murtagh Precast manufacturing facility, with demonstrations of precast production, “role speed dating” across eight disciplines, and an “Ask the MD” session with Ciaran Murtagh. A final day at Bennett Headquarters, where students completed a final networking session with team members from estimating, preconstruction, purchasing, marketing and HR. Students presented video highlights of their week to Joint MD, Paul Bruton, and had a celebratory close out with certificates, goody bags and pizza.
This collaborative model represents a significant next step in the sector’s growing commitment to nurturing future talent and promoting rewarding careers in construction, offering meaningful engagement while demystifying the industry and encouraging a new pipeline of skilled, diverse talent. With this, alongside the STEMP Mentoring Programme that now features an impressive network of 100 trained mentors from across the construction industry, the industry is offering students hands-on learning experiences, structured guidance, and unique exposure to realworld projects. Paul Bruton, Joint Managing Director, Bennett Construction: “It was a great week. As a first-of-its-kind mentoring model
within the construction sector, we were delighted to host so many students from Columba College. The mentoring week gave students time to connect with the team, build confidence and ask questions that mattered to them. It also helped us identify the learning style that suited them best. Our goal was to highlight the wide variety of roles in the sector and the different pathways to reach them, whether through college, apprenticeships, or earn-as-youlearn programmes.” Gillian Murtagh, Shared Services Director, Shay Murtagh Precast, “As a company deeply invested in service excellence, we see this next step as a pivotal part for shaping Ireland’s future skills base. By offering mentorship, hands-on learning, and direct access to our teams and facilities, we hope to ignite curiosity and confidence in students considering career paths in STEM and construction. A really enjoyable week was had by everyone, and I am delighted to play a role in broadening participation and nurturing a more diverse industry for the years ahead.” Sean Downey, Director of Education, Training and Skills, CIF(CIF) said: “CIF were delighted to support the industry’s firm commitment to building the next generation of talent. With the support of members like Bennett Construction and Shay Murtagh, we are creating clear, structured pathways for young people to explore STEM fields within the construction sector. This is not only an investment in students, but in the longterm sustainability and innovation of Ireland’s built environment.”
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S E C TO R F O C U S
Digitalisation within the construction industry in Ireland continues to rise the 2024 Build Digital Annual Survey. 61% of respondents reported using digital tools and methods to improve project sustainability. While digital tools can be used to track and measure sustainability data, sustainability strategies such as BIM for circular processes, lifecycle assessment tools and eco-design software were also cited in the results.
DIGITAL ACCELERATION
In 2024, the majority of respondents (84%) cited specialised events, such as the Build Digital Annual Conference 2025, as the top priority activity when accelerating digital transformation. Exemplars, BIM Guidance documents and ISO 19650 guidance documents were noted as the most useful resources in supporting the adoption of the ISO 19650 (CWMF BIM requirements).
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reland’s construction industry continues to make strides in digital transformation, according to results from the latest Build Digital Annual Survey. Build Digital is now calling for construction and built environment professionals in Ireland to have their say by participating in the 2025 annual survey. The Build Digital Annual Survey tracks the level of digital adoption across the construction and built environment sectors in Ireland. The survey targets the views and practices of key industry stakeholders in Ireland. Results from the 2024 Build Digital Annual Survey show an increase in digital adoption within the construction and built environment sectors in Ireland. Of
the organisations captured in the survey results, 81% are actively engaged in digital transformation. Key motivators for the adoption of digital tools and methods include the CWMF BIM requirements (Irish BIM mandate), clear benefits for projects and demand from project partners.
SURVEY PARTICIPANTS
Survey respondents represent practitioners from across the construction and built environment sectors in Ireland, including industry, academia and government. In 2024, the majority of participants represented the construction industry (60%), followed by government (29%) and academia (12%). As the construction industry in Ireland includes members with a variety of skills, backgrounds and professions, input from all is of utmost importance.
DIGITAL TRANSFORMATIONS
Last year, the survey illustrated that participants in organisations that have started their digital transformation journeys increased from 2023 to 2024 by 4% (77% to 81%). This rise is consistent with industry trends and represents the value of digital adoption. Results from the survey show that the benefits of digital transformation include improved accuracy (86%), followed by increased operational efficiency and enhanced quality.
SUSTAINABILITY
The industry trend of adopting digital tools and practices to increase sustainability on projects is reflected in the results of
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BUILD DIGITAL WANTS TO HEAR FROM YOU
If you work within the construction and built environment sectors in Ireland, Build Digital want to hear from you. Participate in the Build Digital Annual Survey 2025 to share your views and help track whether these key findings remain unchanged in 2025. Your insights into the Irish construction landscape and its current level of digitalisation will contribute to strategy and future planning. The Build Digital Annual Survey is an invaluable tool designed to track the level of digitalisation in the construction and built environment industries in Ireland. The survey also offers participants the opportunity to give feedback on the sector and contribute towards future governmental strategy. By investigating the level of digital transformation within the industry, the Build Digital Annual Survey results provide tangible, detailed evidence of the extent of digital adoption in Ireland, as well as capturing professionals’ lived experiences and opinions. The survey forms part of a suite of supports designed to assist stakeholders and organisations as they work towards transforming the sector by developing and maintaining their digital competencies. To participate in this year’s Build Digital Annual Survey, visit https://www. builddigitalproject. ie/2025-annualsurvey or scan the QR code
S E C TO R F O C U S
Kilsaran launches precast facility in Co Kildare to support demand for residential units
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ilsaran, Ireland’s leading independent manufacturer of construction materials, has launched its new precast production facility in Arthurstown, close to Kill in Co Kildare. The new facility marks a significant move to address Ireland’s growing need for residential units and represents Kilsaran’s continued commitment to building for the future. It is the largest twin-wall precast plant ever commissioned in Ireland, significantly boosting Kilsaran’s capacity to deliver high-quality, sustainable homes nationwide more efficiently. Since its establishment in 2021, Kilsaran Precast has become a leading supplier of structural precast concrete products in Ireland and the UK, serving sectors including residential, hospitality, life sciences, and education. The Arthurstown facility joins existing operations in Oranmore, Galway, and Brownstown, Kildare, further strengthening the company’s full-service offering - from design and manufacture to installation. Speaking at the facility, Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage of Ireland, James Browne, said, “As part of our new housing action plan ‘Delivering Homes, Building Communities’, I want to see a doubling of current construction output, and this demands strong industry leadership and innovation. We have to boost skills and embrace Modern Methods of Construction (MMC), which brings proven benefits to both public and private sector projects. MMC use includes reductions in delivery timeframes of up to 40%, greater cost certainty, and fewer changes during construction. This is essential. “By ensuring homes are built with enhanced speed, quality, sustainability, and cost-effectiveness, MMC is the key enabler for accelerated housing building across Ireland. “Companies like Kilsaran are vital partners in this national effort. Their new Precast facility in Arthurstown here in Kildare represents the type of strategic investment and forward-thinking required to provide housing at the scale and pace Ireland needs.” David and Derry McKeown, Co-CEOs, Kilsaran, commented: “Kilsaran Precast has developed a unique and highly efficient system for apartment construction, focusing on speed, quality, and durability. With the Arthurstown plant, we expect to increase our output to nearly 4,000 apartment units per year - directly
Minister for Housing James Browne officially opens the new Kilsaran Precast manufacturing plant.
Minister James Browne and Kilsaran Co -CEO David McKeown.
(Left to right): Derek Duffy, MD, Kilsaran Precast; Minister James Browne; David McKeown, CO-CEO, Kilsaran; Roy McKeown, Director, Kilsaran; and Derry McKeown, Co-CEO, Kilsaran. supporting Ireland’s housing targets. At our Brownstown facility, we installed 2,000 solar PV panels earlier this year, cutting our grid electricity use by 21%. We plan to replicate that success in Arthurstown as part of our ongoing sustainability strategy.” Kilsaran is a family-owned, Irish-run business celebrating 61 years in operation. It mines raw materials from its own quarries and manufactures end products at its various manufacturing plants across Ireland and the UK. The business now operates out of 30 locations in Ireland and one in the UK.
Sustainability remains at the heart of Kilsaran’s mission. For the Kilsaran Precast side of the business, a key achievement has been the reduction of embodied carbon in its precast products. The company introduced Ireland’s first electric concrete trucks in 2024 as part of its commitment to a greener future. These zero-emissions vehicles align with Kilsaran’s ESG Responsible Business Strategy, structured around four core pillars: Planet, People, Solutions, and Performance. The strategy supports the UN Sustainability Goals, the Paris Agreement, and Ireland’s Climate Action Plan.
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S E C TO R F O C U S
Sisk turns sod on new Greystones/ Wicklow coast guard station
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ohn Sisk & Son (Sisk) has been named as the main contractor to deliver the new €7.03m Greystones/Wicklow Coast Guard station. The project is being delivered in partnership with the Office of Public Works. Minister Seán Canney, with special responsibility for the Irish Coast Guard, was joined by Minister of State Kevin Boxer Moran with responsibility for the Office of Public Works to officially turn the sod for the new Coast Guard Station in Greystones, Co Wicklow. The Greystones/Wicklow Coast Guard Unit (CGU), which has a proud history dating back to the 1930s, delivers land, cliff, and maritime search and rescue services across a catchment area from Bray to Brittas. Staffed entirely by volunteers, the unit comprises 32 members and has responded to 51 incidents so far this year. Their work regularly involves collaboration with other emergency services, including Dun Laoghaire CGU, the Dublin-based R116 IRCG helicopter, An Garda Síochána, Greystones Fire Service, and the RNLI. The new station will provide fit-for-purpose welfare and operational facilities, including an Operations Room, a training room, kitchenette, drying room, stores, boathouse, changing facilities, and boat launch facilities. This investment reflects the Department’s commitment under the recently launched IRCG Building Strategy to ensure volunteer welfare and operational effectiveness. Leanne Broderick, Managing Director for Regional Building, Sisk, said, “We look forward to working with the Office of Public Works
Sisk team pictured with Minister Sean Canney, Minister Kevin ‘Boxer’ Moran and members of The Greystones/ Wicklow Coast Guard Unit (CGU) at the sod turning of the Greystones/Wicklow coast guard station. and our local supply chain partners to deliver this much-needed project. It will ultimately create a lasting legacy in the Greystones and wider Wicklow community, while providing vital support to the coast guard unit and its volunteers.” Minister Seán Canney said, “Our Coast Guard volunteers are the backbone of maritime search and rescue in Ireland. The Greystones/ Wicklow Unit has saved countless lives over its long history, and this new station will ensure they have the facilities they need to continue their vital work for generations to come. Today’s sod-turning is a tangible demonstration of our commitment to supporting these dedicated volunteers and the communities they serve.”
Vision Contracting secures top NISO Safety Awards for eighth consecutive year
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onstruction services firm Vision Contracting has once again cemented its status as an industry leader by clinching both the Higher Distinction and Consistent Achiever Awards at the National Irish Safety Organisation (NISO) Awards 2025. This marks the eighth consecutive year the company has entered and been recognised, providing clear evidence of its tireless commitment to health, safety, and employee wellbeing across all operations. Glen Cowley, Environmental Health & Safety Manager for Vision Contracting, expressed his pride in the recent accolades. “Securing the NISO Higher Distinction Award yet again, alongside the coveted NISO Consistent Achiever Award, is a magnificent achievement for the entire organisation,” Glen Cowley stated. “It’s not just a
The Vision Contracting team at the NISO Awards.
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recognition of our policies and systems, but of our collective ethos and safety culture. It is tangible proof that safety, health, and welfare are fundamentally woven into the fabric of our daily operations.” Niall O’Meara, Managing Director, Vision Contracting, highlighted the business implications of such prestigious recognition. “The professionalism of our EHS team is key to Vision Contracting’s success, enabling us to deliver for clients and maintain the highest of safety standards. These NISO awards are a powerful affirmation of their efforts.” A key element in Vision Contracting’s sustained excellence is its unwavering focus on continuous improvement, particularly within its safety management systems and workplace culture. The company has actively pioneered the integration of innovative digital safety technology, notably implementing the HammerTech platform across its sites to streamline and enhance safety protocols. This commitment to its people and environment was further recognised in 2025 when Vision Contracting was once again certified as ‘A Great Place to Work’ in the Great Place to Work® Ireland programme. Glen Cowley confirmed the leadership’s dedication to fostering a supportive atmosphere. “The management team views a positive work environment as non-negotiable for all staff,” he said. Beyond its safety and cultural achievements, Vision Contracting continues to excel in project delivery. The firm’s projects have won several top industry awards, including the RIAI Public Choice Award 2024 for its exceptional work on The Lark Theatre in Balbriggan. More recently, the company’s Meakstown Community Centre project for Fingal County Council won the Leisure & Tourism category at the highly competitive Irish Construction Industry Awards.
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Homebond conference addresses regulatory hurdles and housing output challenges
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he Homebond Construction Watch 2025 conference - “Diversifying and Expanding Housing Delivery” – took place in Croke Park on 06 November, with a large industry audience in attendance. This event explored the intersection of housing and residential construction solutions, with a focus on adherence to government regulations, policy, and planning challenges. Journalist Matt Cooper hosted the day’s proceedings. The morning session was addressed remotely by Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage James Browne. Minister Browne said, “The government’s role is to create a regulatory framework to enable industry to respond to the challenges we are facing, and I will ensure the state plays its part in diversifying and expanding housing delivery. But our long-term solution of supplying needs the entire system pulling in the same direction. Join me in driving on because I am going to be relentless in increasing our output in the construction of homes across all tenure types. If the state can get out of your way, then we will.”
ESRI Chief Economist Dermot O’Leary gave an Irish Housing Market Update. Patrick Phelan, Managing Director, Ballymore Ireland, shared his unique perspective on ‘Affordable Housing: From Legacy to Liveability’ and the challenges developers face. The morning also included a panel discussion with industry perspectives from Stephen McCarthy, CIF President, and Andrew Brownlee, CEO, CIF, focusing on enabling the built environment. Another session, with panellists Michael Prenty, Chairman, IHBA; Ronan Columb, MD, Castlethorn; Phelim O’Neill, Director, LDA; and James Benson, Director, Cairn Homes; focused on routes to improving housing delivery. The afternoon sessions delved into regulatory and technical matters, with Barrett Chapman, Partner at McCann Fitzgerald, discussing BCAR—Regulatory & Compliance, and Sarah Neary, Building Standards at DHLGH, offering an overview of the EU Construction Products Regulation. The event also featured the launch of Homebond’s new Latent Defects Policy,
Patrick Phelan, Managing Director, Ballymore Ireland. which provides essential 10-year structural insurance for new Irish homes, covering major structural issues, water/smoke ingress, fire safety risks, and M&E defects, with options for different cover periods (5/5/10 or 10/10/10 years) and enhanced covers like loss of deposit, underwritten by A++ rated insurers like HSB Engineering Insurance.
Kingspan awarded Best Irish Company in France
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ingspan has been awarded Best Irish Company in France at the prestigious France-Ireland Chamber of Commerce Gala. The award recognises
the company’s sustained commitment and strategic growth in the French market. Ireland France Business Awards - jointly hosted by NetworkIrlande and the France
The Kingspan team accepting the Best Irish Company in France award.
Ireland Chamber of Commerce (FICC) celebrates Irish and French companies that have demonstrated outstanding leadership in strengthening bilateral business relations. Commenting, Anthony Doherty, Head of Corporate Affairs, Kingspan, commented, “We are honoured to receive this award, which is a testament to the dedication of our teams in France and to the strong partnerships we have built across the French market. We have invested over €1bn in France over the past decade and recently committed to a further €120m in new and upgraded facilities that will create a further 130 jobs. France is Kingspan’s number one market by revenue. In 2024, it generated sales of close to €1.5bn. It has invested more than €1bn in France over the past decade and employs over 2,500 staff across 47 sites in France, including 27 production facilities The award comes on the heels of a €120m commitment to new and upgraded manufacturing facilities in the Auvergne– Rhône-Alpes and Hauts-de-France regions, an investment that will create over 130 new jobs.
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S U S TA I N A B I L I T Y
Liberties House awarded BREEAM Excellent Rating
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iberties House, the landmark co-living development on Cork Street, Dublin 8, has achieved a BREEAM Excellent rating. Liberties House officially opened to residents in September
2025. It was built on the former Old Glass Factory site in the Liberties, in a joint venture between Grayling Properties and European private equity investor Crossroads Real Estate. BREEAM is an independent global sustainability assessment method that measures the environmental performance of buildings across categories such as energy, transport, materials, ecology and management. Liberties House received scores of 100% in the Transport, and Land Use & Ecology categories. Aoife Gaffney, Director of Property Management, Grayling Properties, said, “Our priority from day one was to deliver a development that meets genuine sustainability benchmarks and supports long-term urban regeneration. Achieving BREEAM Excellent is a significant independent validation of that approach. “The full scores in transport and in land use and ecology reflect strong performance in areas that are central to urban sustainability and modern city living: connectivity, mobility, environmental management and the responsible use of previously-developed land. We can see first-hand the positive effects on Liberties House residents, who benefit from a well-connected, thoughtfully-designed building that supports everyday wellbeing and community.” With C+W O’Brien as architect and Concrete Amsterdam overseeing interior design, the development comprises 377 private
Liberties House, Cork Street, Dublin 8. bed spaces. Residents have access to a broad suite of shared premium amenities designed to support community living. These include a fully equipped gym with programmed classes, a cinema, twenty four hour concierge and security, private and shared coworking spaces, a rooftop terrace with panoramic views across Dublin, a yoga studio, games room, resident lounges, a café, and MasterChef-style kitchens for hosting friends and family. Under the BREEAM International New Construction V6 standard, the project was assessed by Catalyst and certified by BRE Global on 11 November 2025.
Ireland Electrified launches action plan to rid Ireland of fossil fuel dependence
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reland Electrified has launched its first Electrification Action Plan for Ireland. The plan lays out a roadmap of 23 targeted actions, with clear timelines and delivery partners to transition Ireland’s energy use from fossil fuels to clean electricity, with a key focus on the heat and transport sectors. Key actions outlined in the plan include: • Reforming energy cost structures, such as network tariffs, the PSO levy, market
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charges, and time of use factors, to incentivise electrification and flexible consumption. Accelerating the rollout of infrastructure to support electrification, including more EV chargers, grid upgrades, and smart metering, and providing incentives and regulations to support widespread adoption. Enhancing our existing grid infrastructure to enable rapid scale-up
Anna Conlon, Head of Ireland Electrified; and Helen O’Sullivan, Chairperson, Ireland Electrified.
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of renewable connections and integrated storage solutions. • Enacting private wire legislation to enable the use of private lines to directly connect demand with clean electricity and allow self-supply for energy consumers. • Accelerating the electrification of our public transport networks, including bus fleets and rail (currently just 3% of Ireland’s rail network is electrified, versus almost 60% of the EU rail network). • Continued rollout of heat pumps, though targeted supports, including grants and low-interest loans. Launching the action plan, Head of Ireland Electrified, Anna Conlan, welcomed the roadmap, and called on government to take action: “Electrification of our energy systems isn’t just the right thing to do for our planet; it makes economic sense: it cuts bills, reduces our dependence on fossil fuels and creates high-quality jobs right across the country. Today’s launch of the Electrification Action Plan lays out a clear roadmap for policymakers to deliver a new Ireland, where we use clean, affordable electricity to heat our homes, travel to work and run our businesses.”
S U S TA I N A B I L I T Y
From zero carbon to circularity: IGBC’s year of milestones in sustainable building ELLEN MC ELLIGOTT, Irish Green Building Council Director of Membership & Strategic Partnerships, writes that through collaboration, the IGBC advanced Ireland’s shift to sustainable construction in 2025. Key areas include the Zero Carbon roadmap, the new Circularity roadmap, and advancing adaptive reuse to tackle the housing crisis.
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t the Irish Green Building Council (IGBC), we worked with the building industry and policymakers during 2025 to make high-quality, sustainable homes and neighbourhoods the norm across Ireland. Below are some of our key milestones from the year just gone – delivered in conjunction with our members, policymakers and the wider industry – and opportunities to drive change in 2026. As ever, we will be working hard next year to deliver a sustainable built environment across our five priority areas: reducing carbon emissions, improving resource efficiency, enhancing biodiversity, climate adaptation and resilience, and delivering healthier homes and neighbourhoods.
DECARBONISING IRELAND’S BUILT ENVIRONMENT
Building A Zero Carbon Ireland, our roadmap to decarbonise Ireland’s built environment, is three years old now, and during 2025 we wanted to ask the question: Is the industry implementing the roadmap, and what does it need to accelerate action? In September, after 100 one-to-oneconversations and eight focus groups, we launched www.buildingazerocarbonireland. ie, which gauges the industry’s progress to date. And the message is clear: the sector is ready to lead, but requires support, clear guidance, and ambitious regulation – such
Fintan Smyth, Building Physics Manager of Saint-Gobain; Marion Jammet, Head of Policy and Advocacy, IGBC; and Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, James Browne TD, launching “Building a Circular Ireland” Roadmap in May 2025.
as certainty on the introduction of limits on lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions - to deliver on climate commitments. This website also offers practical actions for construction professionals – for example, you can take the IGBC’s Embodied Carbon 101 course right now at learn.igbc.ie - and offers inspiring case studies. In conjunction with RIAI and SEAI, we also introduced ‘Design for Performance’, a suite of guidance, tools and webinars to help building professionals close the gap between how buildings are designed and how they perform in reality. Find them at https://www.igbc.ie/designforperformance/ We also launched our ‘Carbon in the Built Environment Community of Practice’, which supports collaboration and peerto-peer learning around life-cycle carbon emissions across all disciplines. Four sessions are planned for 2026 – the first will be online on 29 January. Keep an eye on the IGBC’s website and newsletters for more details. As part of our Implement project, we worked with SEAI to support the new national methodology for calculating life-cycle carbon emissions in buildings. Under the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD), life-cycle emissions will have to be disclosed on BER certificates from 2028 for large buildings, and from 2030 for all buildings. Next year, we plan to roll out new educational offerings to help the industry upskill in this area. The rollout of the CO2 Performance Ladder (CO2PL) also continues to accelerate. CO2PL is a green public procurement tool that supports public authorities and their contractors to deliver low-carbon projects. This year, Transport Infrastructure Ireland won two prestigious Engineering Excellence awards for the CO2PL pilot project, the M7 Kildare Bypass, and we expect CO2PL to be rolled out on more projects next year.
PUTTING REUSE AND RESOURCE EFFICIENCY FIRST Construction and demolition generate 8.3 million tonnes (EPA, 2024) of waste each year in Ireland, 4.5 times the amount generated by households, while virgin
Ellen Mc Elligott, Director of Membership & Strategic Partnerships, Irish Green Building Council. materials comprise 97% of those used by the industry. Earlier this year, the IGBC launched the ‘Building a Circular Ireland’` roadmap, complementing our Building a Zero Carbon Ireland roadmap and setting out a vision to transform our industry from a “take-makewaste” model to a circular system where the life cycle of buildings and their components are extended for as long as possible. Building a circular industry will not only cut waste but also embodied carbon, too, by reducing the need for new buildings and new materials. The circularity roadmap emphasises waste prevention, reuse, smart design, resource efficiency, and circular business models that go beyond traditional recycling, while creating exciting new industries. In 2026, we will launch a new suite of circularity tools, including guidance for different project work-stages, a circularity checklist for the pre-construction and construction phase, and factsheets on procurement and demolition. We will also expand our in-person and online circular economy education offerings. Read more: https://www.igbc.ie/ resources/building-a-circular-irelandroadmap/ Circularity means reusing buildings as well as materials, and despite our housing crisis, many properties remain vacant or underused in our towns, cities and villages. Many new homes could be unlocked
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S U S TA I N A B I L I T Y Towards Healthier Greener Homes report two years ago. We continue to advocate for all the report’s recommendations. Our most recent Health Homes Ireland Forum in December focused on how to build more affordable housing at pace while achieving healthier and greener homes.
NATURE AND CLIMATE RESILIENCE
‘Building A Zero Carbon Ireland: Industry Insights & Actions’, (L to r): Lenny Antonelli, Project Manager, IGBC; Eoin Joy, Chief Property Officer, Iconic Offices; Cristina Gamboa, CEO, World Green Building Council; and Pat Barry, CEO, IGBC; launching the ‘Building A Zero Carbon Ireland: Industry Insights & Actions’ report at The Masonry, Dublin 8, in September 2025. through better use of existing buildings, including above-the-shop units. For typical construction, deep retrofit produces just 25% of the embodied carbon of a new build. Reuse offers a unique chance to tackle the climate and housing crises simultaneously, while delivering quality homes and reinvigorating our urban centres. In 2025, IGBC called together the Vacant to Vibrant Building Alliance (VVBA), a cross-sector coalition of business, civic, and environmental leaders, which published a comprehensive set of recommendations to tackle vacancy and dereliction. Key report recommendations include: • Establish adaptive reuse programme offices in local authorities to drive public acquisition, deliver complex projects and support building owners • Expand Croí Cónaithe initiatives to offer grants per residential unit created and for offer-the-shop premises • Introducing targeted, time-bound tax incentives and increase the vacant property tax • Improving planning processes and building regulations In 2026 we plan to work on the implementation of these recommendations. The government’s new housing plan incorporates some of these recommendations, particularly the launch of a new, larger vacant home grant for “above-the-shop” living. The continuous focus on vacant buildings can also provide a business opportunity for smaller contractors and building firms across the country. Yet in a climate and biodiversity emergency, it is also concerning that the plan makes limited reference to carbon emissions, resource-efficiency, or the protection of nature.
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Ireland has made good progress on energy renovation, but more work is needed. Here at the IGBC we will support the development of Ireland’s first National Building Renovation Plan, required under the EU’s updated Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD). The plan will set renovation milestones to improve our existing buildings for 2030, 2040, and 2050. Earlier this year IGBC convened members and stakeholders to ensure we took a coordinated approach to this critical strategy. We also launched a practical and accessible set of tools to help Irish SMEs on their energy renovation journey. You can find out more here: https:// constructinnovate.ie/enabling-commercialretrofit/. Meanwhile, we are also working to develop Building Renovation Passports (BRPs)in Ireland. BRPs provide a renovation roadmap, setting out a timed, step-by-step renovation plan, ensuring upgrades are carried out in the right sequence to achieve cost-effective, energyefficient and future-proof results. BRPs are eventually expected to replace the generic advice currently attached to BER certificates We plan to launch both training and a proposed methodology for non-residential BRPs in 2026.
HEALTH & WELLBEING
In October, IGBC launched the ‘Home User Guide’, a simple, customisable template that helps residents operate their homes efficiently, maintain healthy indoor environments, and reduce carbon emissions. This practical tool supports developers and homeowners in creating healthier, more sustainable living spaces. Read more: https://www.igbc.ie/ resources/home-user-guide-template/ The development of this guide was one of the key recommendations made by our Healthy Homes Ireland initiative in its
Nature in Ireland remains in a very poor state. Globally, the construction sector contributes greatly to biodiversity loss. To show that a well-planned and welldesigned built environment can help to protect nature, this year IGBC published our first set of case studies showcasing how buildings and infrastructure can enhance biodiversity. The first examples showcase a green roof that has been upgraded to a more biodiverse living roof in Dublin city centre, and a hospital in Portraine Demesne, where existing natural areas were preserved and enhanced to benefit patients, community and environment. We are also developing recommendations for the government to embed nature as a standard in all new residential developments, and have been involved in the preparation of Ireland’s new nature restoration plan, which is due to be published in September 2026. This plan will include specific targets for protecting and restoring urban ecosystems. Read more: https://www.igbc.ie/biodiversityand-the-built-environment-ireland/ The IGBC is also an active member of the EPA’s Climate Ireland Adaptation Network, and we plan to scale up our work on climate adaptation for the built environment with new projects in 2026.
HOLISTIC SUSTAINABILITY CERTIFICATION
Capping our holistic approach to sustainability, our Home Performance Index (HPI) certified over 3,500 homes during 2025, and we launched HPI v3.1, which is a development-wide certification. In 2026, we plan to launch a new certification for SME developers called ‘Home Performance Pathway’, which can be used as a qualifying mechanism to access green finance. We will also launch a new tool for evaluating potential development sites for liveability and carbon emissions.
JOIN, COLLABORATE AND GET INVOLVED
Your support and collaboration are critical to deliver on our plans for 2026. To join the IGBC or get involved in specific projects, see www.igbc.ie or email memberservices@ igbc.ie.
S U S TA I N A B I L I T Y
Midland Steel Group becomes first in Ireland to achieve top sustainability rating
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idland Steel Group has achieved a major sustainability milestone, becoming the first company in Ireland and only the second across the independent CARES (Certification Authority for Reinforcing Steels) network to be awarded three stars under the Sustainable Constructional Steel (SCS) certification - the highest rating available. The company also retained a ‘Very Good’ rating under BES 6001 Responsible Sourcing, reinforcing its commitment to responsible material sourcing, carbon reduction, and supply chain transparency. Awarded following independent audits in July, the results recognise Midland Steel Group’s continued investment in sustainable practices and innovation within the Irish construction sector. “This is a proud achievement for our team and a reflection of our long-term focus on sustainability and responsible growth”, said Tony Woods, CEO, Midland Steel Group. “To achieve 3 Stars under the SCS scheme places us at the forefront of sustainable reinforcement solutions in Ireland. It’s recognition of the dedication of our people and partners who drive continuous improvement across every part of our business” The CARES SCS certification assesses environmental and social responsibility across the steel manufacturing and supply chain. The three-star rating is reserved for companies demonstrating leadership in carbon management, resource efficiency, and transparency. In addition to its sustainability performance, Midland Steel
Group continues to lead the industry through innovative offsite reinforcement systems such as FasterFix, designed to accelerate construction programs while improving safety, efficiency, and sustainability on projects by moving traditional on-site steel fixing to a controlled factory environment. The latest certification results position Midland Steel Group at the top of Ireland’s sustainability rankings for reinforcement steel, ahead of other major industry suppliers.
Shannon airport unveils Ireland’s first airfield solar PV farm and new passenger gates in €6.6m Investment
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he Shannon Airport Group has celebrated a significant milestone in its sustainability and infrastructure journey with the official opening of Ireland’s first airfield-located solar PV farm, together with a substantial extension to its European boarding gates designed to enhance access and experience for Shannon airport users. Officiated by Minister for Climate, Environment & Energy, and Minister for Transport, Darragh O’Brien TD, the dual unveiling represents a combined investment of €6.6m by The Shannon Airport Group. A €3.6m, 1.2-megawatt solar PV farm comprising over 2,700 bifacial solar panels has been strategically installed on a 5.5-acre site within the airport’s airfield. It is expected to supply up to 20% of Shannon airport’s annual electricity needs, significantly reducing reliance on the national grid and fossil fuels by generating renewable energy on-site. The electricity generated from the solar PV farm each year would be enough to drive one of the airport’s electric vehicles around the world 233 times. Early trials indicate the installation is outperforming expectations, generating impressive levels of renewable energy, including 100% of the terminal building’s full electricity requirement at certain times on peak days. Supported by a €1.5m government
grant, the solar PV initiative aligns with national efforts to accelerate Ireland’s energy transition. The grant forms part of almost €2m in grant aid for Shannon airport under the government’s Regional State Airports Sustainability funding programme, with the remainder of the grant going towards upgrading the airport’s water system. Officiating at the event, Minister O’Brien praised the initiative, saying, “The Shannon airport solar PV farm is a shining example of how targeted investment and innovation can
deliver real progress on our climate goals. This demonstrates the kind of leadership we need to transition to a cleaner, more secure energy future.” In addition to the solar farm, Minister O’Brien officially opened a €3m, 7,800-sq ft extension to the airport’s passenger gates. This comprises 4,800 sq ft of new internal space and 3,000 sq ft of integrated external covered walkways, offering extra protection from the elements for passengers as they move from the boarding gate to the aircraft.
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S U S TA I N A B I L I T Y
Ensuring coherence in Europe’s green construction transition
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urope’s construction sector is fully committed to achieving the 2050 net-zero emission target, recognising its crucial role in the sustainable transition. While construction activity accounts for a small share of sectoral emissions, the majority stem from material extraction and production. The European Construction Industry Federation (FIEC) strongly supports the EU’s Industrial Accelerator Act (IAA) and its ambition to boost low-carbon industrial production and accelerate the decarbonisation of carbon-intensive materials like steel and cement. Decarbonisation relies on the close alignment of contractors and product manufacturers in selecting efficient and sustainable products. As construction absorbs nearly 40% of Europe’s steel output, the sector will be heavily impacted by the IAA’s proposed “green” labelling initiatives, with the European Commission indicating an initial focus on steel and cement. A core concern for the industry is ensuring the legal coherence of any new labelling schemes with existing EU frameworks. Tools for measuring and reducing carbon emissions, such as Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) and Declarations of Performance and Conformity (DoPC), are already established under the Construction Products Regulation (CPR) and standard EN15804, “Sustainability of Construction Works”. In July, in a submission to the European Commission, FIEC emphasised that any new “green” labelling methodology under the IAA must be legally compatible with these existing CPR instruments. Performance classes for labels should only be introduced in relation to defined essential characteristics, such as carbon footprint, to ensure they clarify EPD values rather than distorting them. The interplay between the revised Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD), which advances low-carbon construction through lifecycle Global Warming Potential (GWP) disclosure, and material environmental performance information is central to this effort. However, recent developments regarding a specific proposed
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“green” steel label, which is not legally compatible with existing CPR tools, raise serious concerns. Such an initiative, if imposed across the EU, could potentially disadvantage the steel producers supplying much of the construction sector—who predominantly use the already low-carbon Electric Arc Furnace (EAF) route— leading to increased material prices and further aggravating the EU housing crisis without delivering meaningful decarbonisation gains. To address these risks, FIEC, alongside Construction Products Europe, the European Builders Confederation (EBC), and Small Business Standards (SBS), issued a joint statement on 04 November. The organisations, representing key stakeholders across the construction value chain, urged the European Commission to ensure that the CPR remains the legal reference framework, or, alternatively, that a sectoral exception for construction be established in the forthcoming Industrial Accelerator Act.
EVENTS
Crean Contract Flooring team winners of Supply Chain Partner of the Year – Ireland East pictured with Steven McGee, COO, Sisk, and Marcus Carne, CCO, Sisk.
Saint-Gobain and Sitemate named Suppliers of the Year at Sisk Annual Awards
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isk has announced the winners of the prestigious Supply Chain Awards at the annual event in Dublin’s Convention Centre. The awards ceremony, hosted by Colm O’Regan and attended by over 900 industry professionals, acknowledged best-in-class suppliers from Ireland, the UK and Europe. The Supply Chain Awards celebrate the collaboration between Sisk and its partners on a range of successful projects undertaken throughout the year. Some notable winners include STS Group (Life Sciences & Technology), Crean Contract Flooring (Ireland East) and Flannery Plant (Equality, Diversity & Inclusion). In total, 19 outstanding supply chain partners were recognised by Sisk for their contributions to the success of key projects. On the night, Paul Brown, CEO, Sisk, presented a cheque to Focus Ireland for over €226,000 from its recent participation in the ‘Shine A Light’ sleepout to support Focus Ireland’s homeless services. John Devereaux, Supply Chain Director, commented, “This has been another strong year for Sisk, with major accomplishments across our projects and operations. Our annual Supply Chain Awards offer an important opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate the exceptional contributions of our supply chain partners, whose expertise, collaboration, and commitment are central to our continued success. Their efforts are instrumental in advancing excellence and innovation across the industry. I extend my sincere congratulations to all this year’s award recipients and look forward to building on our shared success in the years ahead.”
AWARD TITLE
WINNER
Health & Safety Award - 2025 Ardmac Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Award - 2025 Flannery Pleant Hire Digital Transformation Award - 2025 Roadstone Social Value Award - 2025 SES Sustainablilty Award - 2025 Select Plant Hire Modern Methods of Construction Award - 2025 Midland Steel Health & Wellbeing Award - 2025 Errigal Group Supplier of the Year - Small & Medium Enterprise Sitemate Supplier of the Year - Large Enterprise Saint-Gobain Gypsum Supplier of the Year - Plant & Equipment Trimo Group Supply Chain Partner of the Year - Life Sciences & Technology STS Group Supply Chain Partner of the Year - Data Centres Deane Roofing Supply Chain Partner of the Year - Vision Built Northwest Drylining Supply Chain Partner of the Year - Ireland East Crean Contract Flooring Supply Chain Partner of the Year - Regional Building Tyrone Formwork Supply Chain Partner of the Year - Infrastructure - Ireland Rossmore Supply Chain Partner of the Year - Infrastructure - UK Sirius Supply Chain Partner of the Year - UK South Halsion Supply Chain Partner of the Year - UK North Project FF&E
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EVENTS
The blueprint for scale: Key takeaways from Guaranteed Irish’s Leadership Summit
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he Guaranteed Irish CEO Alumni event, titled ‘Local Leadership, Driving Global Change’, took place in Euronext Dublin recently. The event created a space to discuss pressing matters such as enhancing competitive measures and developing an environment for Irish businesses to scale smarter, innovate faster and lead responsibly at pace. Gene Murtagh, CEO, Kingspan Group Plc, spoke about how their business diversifies quickly with a ‘flat and fast’ approach to decision-making internally while keeping their HQ in Ireland. The opening panel, hosted by journalist Dearbhail McDonald, featured Aine Kerr, Digital Entrepreneur, Gene Murtagh, CEO, Kingspan Group Plc, Francie Gorman, President, Irish Farmers’ Association, and Robert Kelly, Director of Economics and Statistics, Central Bank of Ireland. Áine Kerr spoke on the impact of generative AI, noting that strong leadership, authenticity and agility are essential for global competitiveness. She emphasised trust as the most valuable leadership currency— aligning with research showing that 90% of consumers recognise the Guaranteed Irish symbol as a mark of trust and provenance. Robert Kelly outlined cost pressures facing SMEs and scaling firms, noting that many Irish businesses continue to seek US capital.
Panellists at the Guaranteed Irish’s Leadership Summit (l to r): Gene Murtagh, CEO, Kingspan Group Plc; Aine Kerr, Digital Entrepreneur; Francie Gorman, President, Irish Farmers’ Association; Bríd O’Connell, CEO, Guaranteed Irish; and Robert Kelly, Director of Economics and Statistics, Central Bank of Ireland. He highlighted the need for an enhanced domestic investment environment to retain and grow scaling companies in Ireland. Reflecting on Kingspan’s global success, Gene Murtagh described how change, adaptability and the ability to pivot have become embedded in the company’s culture, enabling continuous innovation across more than 80 countries. He identified risktaking, ambition and structured innovation
pathways as key drivers of long-term competitiveness. Private Equity vs listing with Euronext were discussed, and how owners of Irish businesses should be able to reap the rewards of their hard work, through new tax incentives that allow the entrepreneur to ‘take money off the table’ while committing to retaining their HQ and IP in Ireland.
Building Connections with Octabuild
Pictured at the Building Connections with Octabuild event are GAA stars Joe Brolly, Anthony Daly and Tomás Ó Sé with sports broadcaster Jacqui Hurley and Mike Glennon, Glennon Brothers and Chairperson of Octabuild.
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ctabuild hosted its second ‘Building Connections’ lunch in The Westbury, Dublin, during November, bringing together builders’ merchants and industry leaders from across the island for an afternoon of insight, laughter and networking.
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The highlight of the event was an engaging fireside chat featuring GAA stars Anthony Daly, Joe Brolly and Tomás Ó Sé, reflecting on highlights of their careers, on and off the field, with sports broadcaster and author Jacqui Hurley.
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