Construction Industry to Grow in 2021: AECOM, the world's premier infrastructure firm, have predicted an impressive growth levels for the construction industry sector in 2021. And while output is not expected to reach pre Covid-19 levels, it is believed that development in 2021 will exceed those levels of 2020.
John O’Regan, Director AECOM Ireland said: “Despite the challenges associated with the dual impact of the Covid-19 and Brexit, the projected growth rate of 15% for 2021 highlights the industry’s resilience at the moment. While the first lockdown was very difficult, as an unanticipated event, the sector is now more prepared to effectively manage the associated challenges related to materials, cost, and logistics. That being said, hospitality and retail has been put on hold and, while significant commercial office developments are proceeding on site, the uncertainty around the shape of the future office workplace will slow demand in this sector.”
“Our report also suggests that, while we are dealing with two very real threats to our supply chains, the price inflation for 2021 will only be marginally higher than 2020, reporting at 2%. This is very positive news for the industry and for consumers as there was considerable anticipation that the cost of building would climb sharply in 2021.
“Looking ahead, our report highlights that a key element of promoting sustainable growth for the construction industry is ensuring that promised rail projects such as the Dart Expansion and Metrolink progress as planned. While it may not seem priority now, we must double down our commitment to rail development as it will enhance our work-life balance, support housing and development outside of our cities and go a long way towards our carbon emission targets.
“Finally, the report calls for the establishment of a National Housing Task Force, to consist of industry and public sector players, which could aid the fast and cost-effective delivery of housing across the country. Along with the benefits of such a taskforce, the economic restart after the coronavirus means there is a chance to improve and speed up the planning and delivery process, which is delaying many pipeline projects.”
Construction Jobs Expo will now take place online on 6th February, 2021. Meet leading employers in the construction and engineering sectors with job and career opportunities.
The Construction Industry Federation (CIF) 2021 Construction Industry Outlook Forum will take place online on 28th January 2021.
Entitled 'Looking ahead to 2021 – Building the next normal', the webinar will host a series of panel discussions with the CIF’s directors and key industry players, exploring such topics as:
2020 was a hugely challenging year for the construction industry and its impact will be felt throughout 2021.
Despite this, the industry will be under significant pressure to deliver over 20,000 homes, €10 billion in infrastructure, and over €26 billion in output. This will be against the backdrop of increased industrial relations and political pressure for the industry to increase innovation, take significant steps towards greening construction and, of course, navigating Brexit. In all, 2021 will be a defining year for the industry; both surviving and thriving will push construction companies well outside normal operating conditions.
Like many other industries in Ireland and around the world, the global COVID-19 pandemic has caused the construction sector to witness a decline. With tremendous pressure on global supply chains, legal implications, new health and safety regulations for construction sites and much more, it has never been more important for the industry to rally together and look for solutions to overcome some of the biggest challenges it has ever faced.
So what can you do? Arm yourself with as much business intelligence as possible. The CIF is hosting its annual Construction Industry Outlook Forum for 2021, which will be broadcast in a virtual conference environment. The event will feature the CIF’s directors, all leading experts in their fields, as well as key industry players to provide their insight into what 2021 will look like for the construction industry. A series of panel discussions focusing on key policy areas will generate energetic, informative and insightful discussions.
While the fall-out from the effects of the pandemic is far from clear and no-one can predict its full impact, many experts agree that COVID-19 will have long-term implications for many aspects of the construction industry. However, is it possible to consider this crisis from another perspective and find opportunities for our industry to learn, develop new ways of working and prepare for the long-term?
The Office of Government Procurement seek a Technical Adviser in the Construction Procurement Policy Unit.
|
The Construction Procurement Policy Unit of the Office of Government Procurement has responsibility for all policy aspects associated with the procurement of works contractors and construction related service providers. The unit chairs and provides a secretariat to the Government Contracts Committee for Construction, the forum for policy formation in relation to public works contracts and tendering procedures. The Technical Adviser will be a key member of the Construction Procurement Policy team that will develop the next generation of the Capital Works Management Framework (CWMF) and deliver the Business as Usual (BAU) activities. The successful Technical Adviser in the Construction Procurement Policy Unit candidate will:
Closing date: 3pm, Thursday 28th January 2021
|
|
For more information and how to apply, visit: http://bit.ly/EngineersIre_Ad_TechnicalAdviser
Construction Jobs Expo will now take place online on 6th February, 2021. Meet leading employers in the construction and engineering sectors with job and career opportunities.TICKETS |
On the 13th January at 2.30pm, the Construction Industry Federation (CIF) will host a webinar, delivered by Colornet, on their wearable wristband which notifies wearers when another band is within 2 metres.
Construction Jobs Expo will now take place online on 6th February, 2021. Meet leading employers in the construction and engineering sectors with job and career opportunities.
The CIF is the Irish construction industry’s representative body. It provides a broad range of services that assist members in navigating the political, business, economic and regulatory environment.
These services cross the full business spectrum and include Recruitment and Training, Legal and Industrial Relations Consultation and Advice; Health & Safety; Marketing and Industrial intelligence Reports; Engagement with Government, Statutory and other industry bodies, and regular updates on all issues affecting the construction industry.
All services are provided on a national and regional basis from offices in Dublin Cork and Galway.
The CIF key areas of focus are:
All non-essential construction was halted from 6pm Friday, 8 January by the government in response to rising numbers of Covid-19 cases in the country.
Ahead of the shutdown last week, Ireland’s Construction Industry Federation (CIF) suggested the measure wasn’t necessary because the industry was operating safely and because the infection rate among Ireland’s 147,000 construction workers was “considerably below the population average at all times”.
The last shutdown saw a 10% or €3 billion decline in economic activity in the sector.
“Companies are redoubling their efforts to prevent/screen Covid from being imported from the community after the Christmas period,” CIF director general Tom Parlon told The Irish Times. “Testing, screening and constant communication with sub-contractors and employees is underway. The message is if you are a close contact or exhibit any symptoms do not show up to work.”
Parlon noted that “no other country – barring some US states and Italy in the initial wave – have shut down construction during lockdowns. Most recently, the UK and Scotland have entered lockdown and left construction operational.”
Cerain project types remain exempt from closing, such as some healthcare facilities, schools, social housing, works on vacant residential properties controlled by local authorities, and critical transport and utility infrastructure. Also exempt are certain projects relating to construction at Technological University Dublin Campus Grangegorman.
A list of exemptions is available here.
Contacting members, CIF stated that “Any company operating on Monday must recognise that there will be significant attention and scrutiny around all activity. The HSE will continue to monitor incidence on site. The rate of Covid-19 in the community is exceptionally higher than any previous point in time.”
CIF advised companies to follow its updated Covid standard operating.
Construction Jobs Expo will now take place online on 6th February, 2021. Meet leading employers in the construction and engineering sectors with job and career opportunities.
Look around where you live: the construction industry has designed and built everything you see. Your school, the roads you travel, hospitals, the streets and shops of your town. Even your home was designed and built by people working in the construction industry.
Today, Ireland faces challenges: a housing shortage, climate change, Covid and building inclusive communities.
The Construction Industry Federation invites you to participate in designing ‘A Home for Everyone’. The winning team will present their home design to the Construction Industry Federation (CIF), the Minister for Housing and others and win prizes for their school and themselves.
Before accepting the challenge to design a ‘Home for Everyone’ consider the following as a team
Could your house be built easily, quickly and in large numbers?
Will your house be climate-friendly?
Can differently-abled, elderly, diverse types of people live in your house?
How does your home add to your community?
How does your home add to your community?
How might technology aid the people who live in your house?
This years competition runs from 5th October 2020 – 1st March 2021
1. Describe your construction project team and their role and responsibilities
2. Create a bubble diagram that meets the design brief
3. Create a series of drawings conveying the final proposal, including a site plan, elevations and floor plans
4. Develop a digital or physical scale model
5. Produce a written project report
Limerick City and County Council has appointed contractors Sole Sports & Leisure Limited to begin construction of a new Regional Athletics Hub in Newcastle West in the coming weeks. The new Regional Athletics Hub on the Cork Road in the town includes the construction of an athletics track to international World Athletics standard, floodlights and all associated track facilities, which will have disability access.
Funding for the project has come mainly from Limerick City and County Council and the Large-Scale Sports Infrastructure Fund, which is part of Project Ireland 2040 administered by the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media. In addition, funding has been received from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and locally from the JP McManus Benevolent Fund.
The total cost of the Regional Athletics Hub is around €3 million with construction due to commence shortly.
It’s expected the track will be completed by Autumn 2021.
Welcoming the announcement, Mayor of the City and County of Limerick, Cllr Michael Collins said: “I’m delighted that the new regional athletics hub is now on track and will be available for use in autumn 2021. I have worked hard on the committee to ensure that this project was given the go ahead as I believe it will be extremely beneficial to the people of Newcastle West and the wider West Limerick area. Facilities such as these are important as we know the importance of physical activity and sport for the young and old among us.
“This regional hub will be a fantastic asset to the town of Newcastle West as we will be able to promote it and use it to attract track meets to our town.
“Special thanks must go to the track committee and its chair Jim Galvin for their hard work and dedication. I would also like to acknowledge the work of my fellow Municipal district councillors and the many other people and organisations who have supported the project including the ESB Community Wind Farm Fund (Grouselodge), the JP McManus Benevolent Fund and of course, Limerick City and County Council."
Cathaoirleach of the Newcastle West Municipal District Cllr Francis Foley said: “It is fantastic and see a project which I have fully supported and encouraged from the start get to this point. I want to thank all the committee members who worked so hard to bring this to fruition. I know that this Regional Athletics Hub will be so beneficial to so many organisations throughout the district and beyond.”
Minister for State Patrick O’Donovan said: “I have been working with the Council on this project right from the very start. As a former Minister for Sport, I was in the position to help secure significant funding from the Government for the track and now seeing the next step is really good news for Newcastle West and the wider West Limerick area,”
Minister for State Niall Collins said: “The commencement of the construction works for this stand out project is the culmination of a great community effort by so many people across West Limerick under the excellent leadership Jim Galvin. This facility, when completed, will add greatly to the top-class sporting infrastructure available across Limerick. It is only right and proper that both National and Local Government supported and recognised the merits of this project and fully supported its progression. I look forward to seeing this project progressing and being delivered completed as soon as possible.”
Gordon Daly, Director of Community Development and Manager of the Newcastle West Municipal District said: “This will be a great asset to the sporting community and the community in general and the Regional Athletics Hub in Newcastle West will have an important impact on the fitness and lifestyle of many people, young and old. The track will be of the highest international standard allowing it to be used in competitions. The track has been long called for and Limerick City and County Council is very pleased to be commencing construction work shortly on this important piece of sporting infrastructure for County Limerick and further afield.”
Jim Galvin, Chair of the local steering group representing athletics clubs in County Limerick who will be the main users of the facility added: “We are delighted that we have reached this stage and look forward to seeing the facility opening in 2021. In addition to the fantastic support from Limerick City and County Council and the Department of Sport we are also very grateful for the financial assistance from the JP McManus Benevolent Fund and the ESB Community Wind Farm Fund (Grouselodge).”
Callaghan Engineering Acquired: RED, a company of ENGIE Impact, today announced the acquisition of Callaghan Engineering, one of Ireland’s leading engineering consulting firms.
Operating out of Dublin and Cork, Callaghan Engineering will add more than 30 years of experience providing multi-discipline professional engineering design, validation, procurement, and project and construction management services. They also bring specialised expertise in the pharmaceuticals, data centre and medical services sectors, to expand RED’s existing experience.
RED, a global company of specialist building services and information and communications technology (ICT) engineers, has led the drive of global organisations towards zero-carbon for over a decade. Alongside Callaghan Engineering, RED will support companies with complex challenges in carbon intensive sectors – which are increasingly expanding operations in Ireland.
“As an extremely well-respected and established firm, Callaghan will help us strengthen relationships with organisations locally, particularly in the process engineering, critical facilities, pharmaceuticals and medical device sectors,” said Ian Whitfield, Chief Executive Officer at RED. “We see a natural fit between RED and Callaghan Engineering and together, under the ENGIE Impact umbrella, we look forward to fulfilling our mission to help global organisations accelerate their sustainable transformation and create a future that combines positive economic and environmental outcomes.”
Callaghan Engineering’s strong client base and significant local presence neatly dovetails the existing RED business structure and service offering. Callaghan Engineering brings complimentary technical capabilities, whilst providing a springboard for growth into key sectors.
“With RED, we see more opportunities to support organisations by leveraging valuable technical expertise and experience to realise ambitious plans for zero-carbon-built environments. It’s a truly exciting time for our teams and our clients,” added, Donal O’Callaghan at Callaghan Engineering.
About RED
A Company of ENGIE Impact, RED provides technical expertise to deliver market leading building services and ICT infrastructure engineering solutions. RED’s mission is to help global clients accelerate their sustainability transformation with the outcome of driving a zero carbon future.
About Callaghan Engineering
Callaghan Engineering is one of Ireland’s leading consulting engineering firms, providing multi-discipline professional engineering design, validation, procurement, project and construction management services.
The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Michael McGrath TD, has launched a competitive challenge-based grant call to deliver the Build Digital Project for the Construction Sector in 2021.
Increasing innovation in the Irish Construction Sector is more necessary than ever over the coming years in order to deliver on the ambitions set out in the Government’s Project Ireland 2040 investment strategy.
To support the industry in grasping this opportunity, a Construction Sector Innovation and Digital Adoption team has been established by government and industry. This is to deliver on the seven priority actions detailed in the Building Innovation Report which was itself informed by research carried out by KPMG and Future Analytic Consulting and peer reviewed by Technological University Dublin. This work drew upon a wide-ranging survey and consultation, international benchmarking process and an economic analysis of causes of productivity trends in the Construction Sector in Ireland.
The Build Digital Project is one of the leading actions of this strategy. To this end, and as part of its role in driving the delivery of Project Ireland 2040, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform is launching a competitive challenge-based grant call to deliver the Build Digital Project.
Minister McGrath said: -
“Build Digital aims to ensure that world class digital practices are adopted throughout the industry and supply chain in order to achieve a more sustainable and innovative sector from top to bottom.
It will provide guidance and leadership on the necessary digital tools, standards, approaches and training required by all across the sector, and in particular small and medium sized firms who may have yet to realise the full benefits of digital approaches. Increasing innovation in the Irish Construction Sector is more necessary than ever over the coming years in order to deliver on the ambitions set out in the Government’s Project Ireland 2040 investment strategy”.
Applications are being sought from multi-partner consortia, for example collaborations between higher education institutions (HEIs), companies and/or other Research Performing Organisations (RPOs).
Expressions of Interest must be submitted to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform by 15th January 2021 and full applications by 15th February 2021.
One successful application will be selected in March 2021 based on the prescribed criteria. The successful bidder will be eligible to draw down public grant funding of up to €500,000 per annum for a total of five years, subject to meeting the requirements of the grant agreement. The project will present significant opportunities for industry participation and cooperation, as well as the need for the public funding to be supplemented by industry funding.
CIF said:-
“CIF welcome today’s launch of this call for consortia to lead the Build Digital Project and recognise it as a critical step in the advancement of our industry towards a digital transformation. Successfully delivered the project can be an enabler for regionally balanced delivery of Project Ireland 2040 and should promote the advancement of our SME’s. With the establishment of the project, the industry can look forward to a coordinated approach to the implementation of standards, development of nationally aligned training programmes and in time facilitate a mandate supporting the digital procurement of public and private sector projects. “
Earlier today, Enterprise Ireland, in collaboration with the IDA, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and the CIF, hosted a high-level webinar entitled, “Next Generation Construction of Capital Assets in Ireland - Innovation for International Investors” aimed at highlighting the opportunity created by the Build Digital Grant Call Out. The webinar was attended by over 200 participants across the construction sector, relevant government department agencies and other bodies.
Chair of the CSG Innovation and Digital Adoption Sub-group PJ Rudden said:-
“Build Digital is one of 7 priority actions to raise construction productivity levels. Also included is a new Construction Technology Centre by Enterprise Ireland, a move to high quality offsite and modular methods of construction, addressing the built environment skills shortages and digitising the planning permission application system to speed up preconstruction planning approvals. These 7 new integrated actions will combine to better deliver Project Ireland 2040 and the National Development Plan. It means building to much higher technical standards, delivering on time and within approved budgets. Our future construction will be green as well as digital. That’s means meeting our sustainability and climate action targets”.
Construction Sector Innovation and Adoption Subgroup
The Construction Sector Group Innovation and Adoption Subgroup was set up by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform to implement the seven priority actions as identified in the KPMG/Future Analytics Report that was peer reviewed by Technological University (TU) Dublin on ‘Economic Analysis of Productivity in the Irish Construction Sector’ dated June 2020. The project officially commenced in September 2020.
The seven priority actions are as follows:
The integrated delivery of all seven of these actions will contribute to a more competitive, dynamic and sustainable construction sector to deliver the new social, economic and climate infrastructure required by Ireland in the future.
Build Digital
The Build Digital Project will aim to ensure that world class digital practices, which already exist in certain elements on the construction sector, are adopted throughout the industry and supply chain in order to achieve a more sustainable and innovative sector from top to bottom. The project will achieve this goal by providing guidance and leadership on the necessary digital tools, standards, approaches and training required by all across the sector.
How to Apply
A guide for applicants can be found on www.gov.ie , along with the Expression of Interest (EOI) form and full application form.
The call for EOI form will close automatically at 15:00 Irish Time on 15th January 2021 and EOI forms not received in the csginnovation@per.gov.ie inbox by this deadline will be ineligible. Receipt of applications will be acknowledged. Paper applications will not be accepted.
Following on from this, the call for full proposal forms will close automatically at 15:00 Irish Time on 15th February 2020 and full proposal forms not received in the csginnovation@per.gov.ie inbox by this deadline will be ineligible. Receipt of applications will be acknowledged. Paper applications will not be accepted.
The EOI and full proposal form must be submitted by the lead partner before the call close.
Questions regarding the application process can be submitted to csginnovation@per.gov.ie with the subject line ‘Build Digital FAQ’. The deadline for receiving queries will be 15:00 Irish Time on 30 DECEMBER 2020. Any answers to queries will be posted on the DPER website by 7th JANUARY 2021 .
100 Jobs Created in Longford: The Longford Leader has reported that 100 new jobs will be created in Longford as a result of construction firm Framespace Solutions' plans announced this week as part of an overall €7.5m planned investment drive.
Framespace Solutions is a company involved in the establishment and manufacturing of metal housing systems.
The deal, which is backed by Enterprise Ireland, has seen the firm take over a 110,000 sq ft facility at the county town’s former Cameron Willis site which closed in 2016.
Jobs Created in Longford
Chief executive Declan Murtagh said an initial 30 new posts, some which involved staff transferring from its former Co Roscommon headquarters, would be in situ by the end of January with 100 full time positions coming on stream within 12 months.
"We have a wide variety of jobs from semi skilled or factory operatives to high end designers and 3D rev technicians and structural engineers to design our product," he said.
Longford LEO Head of Enterprise, Mr Nevin.
“Framespace is a significant new company for Longford and is set to become one of the key employers in county Longford over the next few years,” he said.
“Framespace is a well-resourced company that will quickly become a trusted brand in the off-site construction of complete homes.
“This type of construction would appear to be the future for large scale housing developments, needed to satisfy the Government's ambitious targets for new homes.”
Mr Nevin said it was encouraging to end what has been a ‘very challenging year’ for the county in the face of an ongoing public health emergency to welcome such an investment and substantial jobs announcement to Longford.
Fianna Fáil Longford-Westmeath TD Joe Flaherty said details surrounding Framespace’s impending opening was especially timely given the current fiscal difficulties posed by Covid-19.
“Confirmation of thirty jobs at the Framespace Solutions plant in Longford town is great news and the company plans to see this increase to 100 jobs in 2021 and 200 over the next five years,” he said.
Construction Jobs Expo will now take place online on 6th February, 2021. Meet leading employers in the construction and engineering sectors with job and career opportunities.
