Construction Sector Group programme for 2024

The Construction Sector Group announced its work programme for 2024, published prior to the group’s first of four meetings to take place during the year.

The Construction Sector Group (CSG) has confirmed that four meetings are to be held throughout 2024, with the first having been held on 25 January, and meetings to come on 18 April, 11 July, and 24 October.

With the minutes of the first meeting to be released during the 18 April meeting, it is understood that members of the group discussed an update on the Innovation Sub-Group, procurement reforms, construction skills and apprentices, and an update on Project Ireland 2040.

Key items of work for the group include the publication of the Build 2024 report, typically published in the summer; the Prospects Report 2024/2025, which will provide an overview of 50 of the largest construction projects included in the Project Ireland 2040 tracker; and CSG meetings in 2024. The work programme states that meetings in 2024 “may need to change in response to feedback or unforeseen circumstances”. However, the group’s objective is that the core discussion topics in the form of standing items and associated cross-sectoral issues will be discussed as planned.

These key items are complemented by four proposed broad themes and discussions for 2024. These are: improving regulation and public procurement; supporting innovation and digital adoption; securing the skills pipeline; and communicating the public investment pipeline.

Established under the aegis of the now Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform (DPENDPDR) in 2018, the Construction Sector Group aims to be a forum for regular dialogue between government and representatives from the construction industry. Chaired by the secretary general of DPENDPDR, its members include government officials, construction business representatives’ groups, and a representative from the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU).

Its establishment is aimed to be an accelerant of Project Ireland 2040, the Government’s flagship long-term infrastructure and economic strategy. The group’s remit includes:

• working with industry and government bodies to (a) benchmark and improve productivity and environmental sustainability and (b) to modernise public works delivery;
• considering opportunities to introduce reforms within the sector that will help in controlling construction price inflation, improving efficiency, and delivering value for money for investment;
• assessing the supply of necessary skills and measures enhancing capacity (including potential use of overseas contractors); and
• challenges arising from inadequate or ineffective regulation, poor performance, and systemic poor quality.