Competitiveness and Productivity

Pillar 5

Improving the competitiveness and productivity of the construction sector is essential to delivering Ireland’s housing and infrastructure ambitions at the pace and scale required.

The sector encompasses distinct sub-sectors – infrastructure, new homes, built spaces, high-tech manufacturing and FDI investment, home improvement, retrofitting, and repair and maintenance – each with different productivity drivers, constraints, and opportunities.

A more granular approach to measuring, monitoring, and improving construction productivity is required.

Priority Recommendations

Ensure Cashflow-Neutral Tax Reform

  • Protect the 0% RCT rate.

  • Avoid excessive withholding under eWithholding reforms.

Improve Sector Data and Benchmarking

  • Develop productivity metrics across construction subsectors.

  • Publish national performance benchmarks.

Reduce Regulatory and Insurance Costs

  • Streamline compliance and approvals.

  • Lower barriers for SMEs.


Invest in Innovation and Digitalisation

  • Expand funding for MMC standardisation.

  • Support research and development, and digital adoption.

Enable Strategic Infrastructure Sites

  • Progress ‘Next Generation’ industrial sites.

  • Align infrastructure with regional growth.

See also

Skills and Workforce Development

Strategic Infrastructure Delivery

Unlocking Housing Supply

Green and Digital Transition

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