Encouraging Irish Construction Workers Abroad to Return Home and Tackle the Housing Crisis
In an effort to address the ongoing housing crisis in Ireland, the government has allocated €750,000 for a new advertising campaign aimed at enticing Irish construction workers living abroad to return home. The plan includes an outreach program that will engage builders in cities such as London, Sydney, and New York to determine what incentives might encourage them to move back to Ireland.
According to Higher Education Minister Simon Harris, an analysis conducted by his department indicates that Ireland will require an additional 50,000 construction workers across all trades over the next decade in order to meet the growing demand for housing. Minister Harris emphasizes the importance of Irish construction workers returning home, stating, “Ireland needs you.” He also highlights that the economic landscape has changed significantly since the previous recession, and there are now plenty of well-paid and reliable job opportunities available in Ireland’s construction sector.
The overarching goal of the advertising campaign is to convey the message to Irish individuals living abroad that their help is urgently needed. Minister Harris states, “We want to send a message to the Irish people who may have left because there weren’t jobs in construction in the past, there weren’t jobs when the economy crashed, that Ireland is a very different place now.” He further emphasizes that if construction workers wish to come back, there are ample job opportunities in Ireland.
The government’s focus is on making Ireland an attractive place to work, rather than providing direct financial incentives. The campaign aims to spread awareness among Irish individuals abroad that there are significant opportunities in the construction industry in Ireland and urges them to consider returning home and contributing to the efforts to address the housing crisis.
In addition to the advertising campaign, the Department of Higher Education is exploring other strategies to encourage careers in construction. These include peer-to-peer campaigns and collaboration with guidance counsellors to inspire individuals aged 18-24 to consider pursuing careers in the construction sector.
The housing crisis in Ireland has been a persistent issue in recent years, with a shortage of affordable homes and escalating property prices. The government’s initiative to entice Irish construction workers abroad to return home is a proactive step towards alleviating the crisis. By increasing the supply of skilled workers in the construction industry, the aim is to boost housing production and provide more affordable options for Irish citizens.
It is important to note that the government’s approach does not solely rely on the return of Irish construction workers. It is complemented by other measures, such as investment in infrastructure, regulatory reforms, and collaboration with the private sector, to create a sustainable and efficient housing market.
The new advertising campaign launched by the Irish government seeks to encourage Irish construction workers living abroad to return home and contribute to tackling the country’s housing crisis. With €750,000 allocated for this initiative, the government aims to highlight the opportunities available in Ireland’s construction sector and make the country an attractive place to work. By addressing the shortage of skilled workers in the industry, the government hopes to increase the supply of homes and improve affordability for its citizens.
