CIF Southern Construct Summit sparks key conversations about the future of building in Cork

The Construction Industry Federation (CIF) Southern Construct Summit 2025 ‘Elevating Cork’ took place on 22nd May, at the Clayton Hotel Silver Springs, Co. Cork.

Kicking off at 8:00am with a warm welcome from Joanne Treacy, Director of the CIF Southern Region, the summit featured insights from over 30 expert speakers throughout the day. More than 300 industry professionals attended the event – 76% of whom were key decision makers – making it a powerful forum for ideas, connections, and action. This was complemented by networking breaks and lunches, driving key conversations.

‘Cork can deliver on its ambition’

Taoiseach Micheál Martin TD gave a government keynote address on ‘tackling the housing challenge’, while Michael McGrath, Commissioner, Democracy, Justice, the Rule of Law and Consumer Protection, European Commission, discussed how the EU can formulate policy to meet its housing needs, reflecting changing demographics and harnessing the potential of modern methods of construction, AI, financing instruments and energy efficiency. Jack Chambers, Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform, outlined the state’s infrastructure plans, while investment is key to unlocking many of Cork’s opportunities. Ruth Buckley, Chief Information Officer and Head of Information Systems, Cork City Council, gave a presentation on developing Cork as a more digitally enabled city, which is closely linked to our infrastructure investment and the critical role of innovation in the construction industry.

Highlighted by Dr. Sean McSweeney, Dean of Engineering, Munster Technological University (MTU); Denis Leamy, Chief Executive, Cork Education and Training Board; Amanda Lennox, Human Resource Manager, MMD Construction; and Mary Maloney, Lecturer, Department of Civil, Structural and Environmental Engineering, MTU, the construction sector is undergoing a significant transformation and disruption due to the adoption of new technologies. “We must ensure that our education and training programmes adapt and keep pace to secure our workforce for the future. It is up to us to keep our education facilities informed of what our expectations and needs are on the ground. By doing this, we can capture the required skills and ensure our pipeline of talent remains top class.”

The different impacts and challenges around tariffs were discussed with great insight and some reassurance from Prof Declan Jordan, Professor of Economics, Cork University Business School, University College Cork. The construction industry is far too familiar with building in uncertain times, but “we are proud to say we have never failed to deliver regardless of uncertainty”.

Research done by the Southern Region Assembly has reported that the southern region has one of the highest rates of GDP per capita in Europe. The region is projected to experience one of the highest population growths in Europe up to 2050 but yet alarmingly, ranks in the bottom 15% of the 234 EU regions concerning infrastructure provision. Cork is Ireland’s second city, and “investment is now essential to meet this commitment. Cork can deliver on its ambition, so it must be prioritised. Both public and private investment must reflect housing needs across the state, and it supports rather than undermines objectives for balanced regional growth”.

Overall, this annual gathering is the go-to event for anyone serious about the future of construction in Cork. With a lively mix of developers, investors, policy-makers, and local leaders, the summit explored everything from AI-driven innovations and smart city planning to housing solutions and new funding models. It also spotlighted some of the inspiring women shaping the industry today and celebrated 90 years of the CIF. For those looking to boost productivity, explore new partnerships, or stay ahead of industry shifts, this was where the real conversations happened.

Support for members

The CIF Southern Region provides members with expert advice and practical support on a wide range of construction-related issues. These include employment legislation and industrial relations, contract queries, payment disputes, tendering, planning and development, and representation with local authorities, semi-state bodies, and political stakeholders. Our goal is to support your business with reliable, up-to-date information and guidance tailored to the needs of the construction industry.