The Construction Industry Federation has welcomed additional capital spending on infrastructure in Budget ’25 but has underlined the need for firm timelines on delivery.

Hubert Fitzpatrick, Director General of the Construction Industry Federation said: “CIF welcomes today’s announcement of €3 billion in capital investment in infrastructure. The scale of the infrastructure investment needed to support the growing population can’t be underestimated. In the regard, today’s announcement is a positive step in providing for the water infrastructure, houses, and energy needed to sustain the nation.

“But while we welcome this increased investment, it must be underpinned by clear timelines and commitment to delivery to ensure progress.

“Capital budgets need to be spent. We need to see delivery, activation and advancement of key projects that will ensure delivery of housing, infrastructure and commercial developments. These investments are crucial to shaping a future that meets the demand of a growing population and fosters economic progress.

“We also recommend the resourcing of all procurement agencies to equip them with sufficient skilled staff to deliver projects. Resourcing the procurement authorities and planning system will be crucial to enabling the delivery of infrastructure and housing developments now and in the future.

“In housing, we welcome to extension of the Help to Buy Scheme until 2029, which will continue to support new home buyers to purchase their first home.

“We are disappointed that homebuilders have been omitted from the Residential Zoned Land Tax exemption. This tax does not recognise the significant delays that active housebuilders experience including planning, which is preventing them from building homes. The three per cent tax on market value of land will become a delivery cost and not an activation measure.”

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