The new Chairperson of the Cork branch of the Construction Industry Federation (CIF), Patsy Supple, has highlighted the need for more young people to consider careers in the sector.

Ms Supple was speaking at her first engagement since being appointed the new Chairperson of the Cork branch of the CIF. It’s her second time to hold the position, having been in the role between 2007 and 2009. The Annual Dinner was held at the Fota Island Resort.

Addressing the attendees, Ms. Supple said that construction in Ireland is facing many challenges as the delivery of projects, particularly in housing, needs to be scaled up to meet the country’s needs.

“I would ask everyone in this room – whether you are parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles or mentors – to encourage the young people in your lives to consider careers in this sector.”

“I would particularly encourage you to inspire young women to join our industry. They remain one of our greatest untapped resources. If we ever think construction might not be a suitable career for women, then perhaps it is time for all of us to ask what changes we need to make to ensure that it is.”

Speaking about construction in Cork city, Ms Supple said there is evidence of significant investment in housing, infrastructure and the public realm as Cork continues to grow as a vibrant and attractive place to live and work.

However, she noted that despite the sector’s best efforts, there is still a long way to go to meet the target of 50,000 homes to be built per year. She said one of the biggest challenges facing the sector is the time it takes to get projects started.

“A small housing scheme can take five years from the moment a site is purchased to the moment the homes are delivered. For larger projects – whether it is housing, a school, hospital or road project – that timeline can easily stretch to ten years or more before construction even begins. And that is assuming that water, power and infrastructure are already in place. If we are truly going to address Ireland’s housing and infrastructure challenges, we must look closely at how we reduce unnecessary delays before projects even reach the site stage.”

Ms Supple called for coordination among contractors, planners, developers, local authorities, utility providers, government departments, and financiers to expedite the process.

“None of these stakeholders can deliver projects on their own, but when we work together with a common purpose progress happens much more quickly and projects move forward. When we operate in silos, projects slow down – and sometimes stop altogether. Our industry is ready to build. The skills, expertise and commitment are all there.

But real progress requires genuine partnership between all stakeholders so that we can align our processes, streamline timelines and ultimately deliver projects more efficiently for the benefit of the entire country.”

Patsy Supple is a Director at Mavro Property Ltd, with 35 years experience in the building and property sector.

The CIF Cork branch Annual Dinner was sponsored by Unilin and MD O’Shea.

Pictured above: John O’Shea and Paul O’Shea of M.D. O’Shea (SPONSOR) with Patsy Supple, Chairperson, CIF Cork; Stephen McCarthy, President CIF; Andrew Brownelee, CEO CIF; Joanne Treacy, Director, CIF, Southern Region. Photo: Brian Lougheed

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