Tralee Astellas Facility
Ground is set to be broke for the €330 million Astellas Phrama Plant in Kerry Technology Park on March 25th. The project will see the construction of a state-of-the-art development on a 45-acre site consisting of approximately 17,000 square metres. It is expected that the works will see the creation of 700 construction jobs over the next three years while the plant is being developed.
New Driving License Regulations
New regulations are to be introduced which sees that individuals who drive tractors in construction or house-building contexts are now required to possess a lorry license and undergo CPC. Michael Fitzmaurice an independent TD has warned that the new regulations could lead to job losses between 3,000 and 4,000 individuals. Deputy Fitzmaurice has raised concerns on how they could negatively affect construction operations in Ireland such as the transportation of materials within sites and ensure compliance with regulatory requirements when watering down sites during dry periods. He has called for intervention from the government to prevent further disruption to the construction industry.
Engineering 2024: A Barometer of the Profession in Ireland
Engineers Ireland are projecting that there will be 6,000 new jobs created in 2024. The repot was published as apart of Engineers week 2024. 71% of engineering employers have indicated that they will look to recruit engineers in 2024, 68% have signaled that they experienced financial improvement in 2023 vs 2022 – a signal of confidence of growth.
House Construction Growth 2024 – BNPPRE
The BNP Paribas Real Estate Ireland Construction Index climbed to 47.4 in February, an increase of 1.5 compared to January. This was the weakest rate of decline in 5 months, the 17th straight month that residential construction activity has contracted according to the BNPPRE. There have been nearly 3,600 units completed over the last 18 months but there has not been as many commencements on new units or home improvements. This rapid growth in completions could lead to a stall in 2024 says John McCarthy director and head of research at BNPPRE.
Housing Development Ardrahan & Ballinasloe
Works are set to begin on a €4.8 million housing development in Ardrahan and Ballinasloe in Co. Galway. A 10-unit housing development consisting of three single-storey two-bed dwellings, one two-storey three-bed dwelling and six two-storey two-bed dwellings in Ardrahan is to be constructed by Jada Construction. In Ballinasloe Pat Loftus Construction Ltd will construct an eight-unit housing development comprising two single-storey two-bed houses and six two-storey two-bed houses. The two projects are funded under the governments ‘Housing for All’ plan, the 18 homes will cost a total of €4.8 million.
