Industry News

Housing stock is continually under scrutiny in the press these days. Whether it is social housing or strategic housing developments, rent inflation or mortgage rates, it all points to one consistent message. There is a perennial need for more housing. Kieran McQuinn of the ESRI stated this week in his recent publication “While there are many pressing demands for additional State capital investment, without significant investment in residential construction, we risk experiencing another decade of inadequate housing supply and resulting upward pressure on residential prices and rents.”

With that in mind we took a deeper look in the BuildingInfo database to try to understand what the pool of planned activity in the housing sector is. We looked at projects that have been granted planning permission, but have not yet started works, and indeed have not yet expired. This represents the intent in the industry to supply housing as it stands which has not yet been acted on. Coupling this with population figures for each county from the most recent CSO census we have compiled the table.

The year-end 2020 Building Information Index is coming on the back of a uniquely difficult year indeed for the construction industry in Ireland. Covid-19 restrictions and lock downs have shaped the economy as a whole and construction companies have played their part in ensuring public health is the primary concern, with construction activity taking a back seat in everyone’s interests.

A lot has changed since our previous Index was published for year-end 2019. At that time the construction industry in Ireland was strong and resilient in the face of Brexit uncertainties. Indeed, the previous 2 indices, both year-end 2019 and our half yearly H1 2019 reports, pointed to a very steady and stable environment with not much in the way of growth or decline. As it turns out 2019 it would seem is likely to be a peak in terms of output in the industry and it may take a while to recover.

How does Tricel specialise for the Irish construction sector?

The Environmental division of Tricel has developed four wastewater treatment solutions suitable for the Irish market. They are suitable for primary, secondary & tertiary treatment of the wastewater. Our range is also suitable for both domestic and commercial projects. 

What other services does Tricel provide?

For the Irish Site Assessors, Engineers and Architects, Tricel has developed a tool/website to generate free wastewater site recommendation reports: tricelsiteassessor.ie. 

The aim is for the users to save time and generate bespoke and detailed reports ready to be incorporated directly into the planning applications of their customers/clients.  All information provided complies with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Code of Practice and all products specified are certified to European standards EN12566- 3, EN12566-1 and S.R.66.

What recent projects have you been involved in?

With the recent changes linked to Covid-19, like all businesses we have changed and adapted our processes and deliveries. Our main focus is to ensure our customers and employees are safe.

Some of the projects from the beginning of 2020 included a few big projects in the West/Northwest of Ireland in one of the National Parks. We have also sold our first tank to Dubai and we are developing a strong partnership with a distributor for the Caribbean Islands, French Guyana and in the Indian Ocean. All this is done from Killarney. We are as well strongly positioned in Ireland and always looking for new opportunities. 

You have been subscribed to BuildingInfo for some time now – has it been beneficial to date?

Yes, very much so. Our sales team is able to use the data to identify and target potential customers. It’s also very easy to use.

For more information, visit: tricel.ie

Subject to new SOP (Safe Operating Procedure) sign off from the Chief Medical Officer it is hoped that building sites will begin to reopen on the 5th of May.

Sources indicate that top tier construction companies are looking to open sites before the 5th of May to facilitate implementation of new safety protocols prior to selective reopening of sites on the 5th of May. It is envisaged that each of the top tier companies would reopen 2/3 sites each to begin with. Issues such as procedures for managing the safe return of foreign workers still need to be resolved and such delays would see it taking up to 12 weeks to return to full production.

It is likely that smaller sites and subcontractors would begin to re-open thereafter.

Innovative safety measures such as wrist bands that monitor proximity to fellow workers are being mooted as possible aids to social distancing on-site.

More updates as they occur.

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