The State is planning a recruitment drive in South Africa amid a “scarce supply” of skilled people in the construction sector. 

Housing for All commits the Government to building an average of 33,000 new homes every year until 2030. 

However, while there are 140,000 people currently working in the construction industry, the State estimates an additional 50,000 are needed if targets are to be met. 

“There’s very few sites that couldn’t do with extra people,” Construction Industry Federation Director General Tom Parlon told The Pat Kenny Show. 

“Particularly more skilled people are in scarce supply.” 

A new development of 800 homes presently under construction in Carrigaline County Cork. Image: David Creedon/Alamy

A delegation from South Africa recently visited Dublin and a follow up meeting is due to be held with industry representatives in June. 

“It’s not going to be a big, big number of general operatives - it is going to be a smaller, select group of highly qualified people,” Mr Parlon said. 

“Already, we have a very substantial number of people working in the Irish construction industry from South Africa and that experience is good from an Irish point of view and I believe the feedback to South Africa is very positive as well.” 

South Africa is a member of the Commonwealth and Mr Parlon said its British-based education system was “similar to Ireland”, allowing workers to adapt “very quickly”. 

He said the construction sector has its “challenges” but said it remains an attractive career for workers with average pay twice that of the national average. 

2HJ9RG5 An apartment building under construction in Palmerstown, Dublin, Ireland.

Senator Marie Sherlock said the initiative was “very much welcome” but said the Government needs to do more to cultivate the skills of local workers as well.  

“Ireland has had two decades now of construction workers coming from abroad into Ireland and being a very necessary part of the construction workforce,” she said. 

“My key point really is what are we doing here with regards to securing the sustained flow of skilled labour into construction in this country over this decade and beyond?

“I said at the start, the Department of Further Education and Higher Education last year forecast we need around 50,000 construction workers between now and 2030. 

“82% of that is in the crafts - and yet when we look at the figures for last year in terms of craft apprenticeship registrations, they went down rather than up.” 

Last year, there were 29,851 houses built in Ireland. 

Main image: A construction worker mixing cement. Picture by: Alamy.com