Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 May 2022
146. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Social Protection the achievements she expects to emerge from the Government’s Future Building Initiative; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24442/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraHousing is a key priority for this Government. This is demonstrated by the unprecedented commitment to build 300,000 new homes by 2030 under Housing for All and a target of retrofitting 500,000 homes which is more important than ever in this time of rising energy costs.
To achieve this, we need to attract thousands of new workers into the sector. At the recent launch of the Future Building Initiative, Minister Harris and I announced that our two Government Departments and related agencies are joining forces to spearhead activation and recruitment for the construction sector and drive internal projects to support this work. A new cross-functional unit which includes staff with expertise in activation, recruitment and training has been established to oversee this initiative.
The FutureBuilding Initiative will operate through a team staffed by Intreo from the Department of Social Protection, SOLAS and Education and Training Boards.
Although this Initiative is focused on recruitment to construction skills, its success will feed into a number of Government commitments, not least Pathways to Work, the Government national employment strategy and the climate change agenda. However, the commitment of dedicated resources is just one part of this initiative. We will be working with employers in the construction sector who we know are competing with other sectors facing staffing shortages. This commitment is reflected in the planned Intreo Construction Work and Skills week which is being planned for later this month when almost 40 events will be held to promote jobs, training and apprenticeships in construction and associated careers. Skilled staff are in heavy demand at home here in Ireland and also internationally. This initiative is part of the broader redevelopment of the ecosystem for housing which is being led by An Taoiseach across the whole of Government under the Housing for All Strategy.
Starting on the 19th May the Future Building team will host a Intreo Construction Work and Skills Week with some 40 events across the country promoting construction as a career including a large job, apprenticeship and training event in Dublin and local events covering a range of topics including women in construction, start your own business and apprenticeship open mornings. This is only the start of a series of recruitment, training and promotional events that will be organised during the year in collaboration with the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Skills, Solas and the Education and Training Boards of Ireland.
This work will feed in to achieving the commitments set out in the Housing for All Strategy.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
