Clare Developer Says Tradesman Shortage Will Make Building Costs Spiral

A Clare developer has warned building costs will spiral if the tradesman shortage continues. It comes as a report by Eurobarometer has found that 60% of construction companies are having difficulties recruiting tradespeople and machine operators. Last year, the Department of Trade, Enterprise and Employment issued nearly 1,500 employment permits for roles in the construction sector and there have been almost 1,000 work permits issued in the first nine months of 2023. Ciarán Breen of Ciarán Breen Construction in Ennis says smaller projects will suffer as they won't be cost affective for contractors to take on.