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Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Ireland Construction Industry Report 2025-2029: Public and Private Sector Investments in Residential, Transport, Electricity Infrastructure Driving Growth
Explore Ireland's construction market growth, projected at 3.3% in 2025 and 4.8% annually from 2026 to 2029, driven by investments in transport, housing, and infrastructure. Key reports detail sector analysis, project pipelines, and future opportunities. Get insights from leading experts to drive strategic business decisions. Dublin, June 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Ireland Construction Market Size, Trends, and Forecasts by Sector - Commercial, Industrial, Infrastructure, Energy and Utilities, Institutional and Residential Market Analysis to 2029 (H1 2025)" report has been added to analyst expects the construction industry in Ireland to grow by 3.3% in real terms in 2025, before recording an annual average growth of 4.8% from 2026 to 2029, supported by public and private sector investments in transport, electricity, and residential infrastructure sectors. According to the Central Statistics Office (CSO), the total number of planning permissions granted for construction grew by 2.2% in 2024, preceded by a decline of 7.4% in 2023. In February 2025, the Minister of Transport, Darragh O'Brien, Minister of State, Sean Canney and Jerry Buttimer announced a EUR713 million ($776.9 million) investment program for regional and local roads in 2025. This funding represents an increase of over 8% compared to the previous year, and aims at enhancing road safety and improving the interconnected regional and local road network, ongoing maintenance and renewal of the regional and local road network, along with strategic investments to develop and enhance road infrastructureIn January 2025, the state-backed lender 'Home Building Finance Ireland' revealed that the loan approval for housebuilders increased by 42% in 2024, increasing from EUR1.7 billion ($1.9 billion) in 2023 to EUR2.7 billion ($2.9 billion). It had approved funding for the construction of 13,186 new homes in 23 counties. Furthermore, in February 2025, the Bank of Ireland revealed that it has approved EUR600 million ($653.8 million) in new construction loans aimed at supporting housebuilders in delivering approximately 4,000 new homes by 2028. This is in line with the Bank of Ireland's goal of facilitating the construction of 21,000 homes by 2028. Notably, this initiative also includes a commitment to provide 9,500 social and affordable homes, highlighting the bank's dedication to addressing housing needs in the community. In March 2025, the Minister for Housing, James Browne, announced a funding of EUR436 million ($475.1 million) for the construction of more than 1,300 new social homes across the country by 2027. Also, the Irish government announced in January 2025 that it plans to construct 41,000 housing units in 2025 and 43,000 units in 2026. The government aims to deliver 303,000 homes by the end of 2030. Scope Historical (2020-2024) and forecast (2025-2029) valuations of the construction industry in Ireland, featuring details of key growth drivers. Segmentation by sector (commercial, industrial, infrastructure, energy and utilities, institutional and residential) and by sub-sector Analysis of the mega-project pipeline, including breakdowns by development stage across all sectors, and projected spending on projects in the existing pipeline. Listings of major projects, in addition to details of leading contractors and consultants Reasons to Buy Identify and evaluate market opportunities using our standardized valuation and forecasting methodologies Assess market growth potential at a micro-level with over 600 time-series data forecasts Understand the latest industry and market trends Formulate and validate business strategies using the analyst's critical and actionable insight Assess business risks, including cost, regulatory and competitive pressures Evaluate competitive risk and success factors Key Topics Covered: 1 Executive Summary2 Construction Industry: At-a-Glance3 Context3.1 Economic Performance3.2 Political Environment and Policy3.3 Demographics3.4 Risk Profile4 Construction Outlook4.1 All Construction Outlook Latest news and developments Construction Projects Momentum Index 4.2 Commercial Construction Outlook Project analytics Latest news and developments 4.3 Industrial Construction Outlook Project analytics Latest news and developments 4.4 Infrastructure Construction Outlook Project analytics Latest news and developments 4.5 Energy and Utilities Construction Outlook Project analytics Latest news and developments 4.6 Institutional Construction Outlook Project analytics Latest news and developments 4.7 Residential Construction Outlook Project analytics Latest news and developments 5 Key Industry Participants5.1 Contractors5.2 Consultants6 Construction Market Data7 AppendixFor more information about this report visit About is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. CONTACT: CONTACT: Laura Wood,Senior Press Manager press@ For E.S.T Office Hours Call 1-917-300-0470 For U.S./ CAN Toll Free Call 1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
BreakingNews.ie
4 days ago
- Business
- BreakingNews.ie
Driving test backlog: Where to beat the queues
The crisis in Irish driving tests rumbles on, with an average wait for a test now stretching out to 27 weeks on average, according to figures from the Department for Transport. In some cases, the wait has been known to go on for much longer, as long as 10 months. Advertisement It's leaving Irish learner drivers footing the bill for higher insurance costs as they wait to pass the test - or at least get the chance to do so. Some 68,000 people are currently waiting to take their test. The delays have now become so bad that the relevant Minister, Sean Canney, told the Road Safety Authority (RSA) - an agency currently being shut down and broken into two new agencies - to 'publish their plan, showing their projections of average wait time and numbers of tests to be carried out on a fortnightly basis to end 2025". "The Minister further instructed the RSA to report publicly and to him fortnightly on delivery of their plan, with any deviations from projected timelines to be immediately addressed with the Department of Transport,' according to a spokesperson. That plan has now been published, and includes ideas such as expanding the number of driving test centres from 41 to 60, adding yet more examiners, and expanding the working day of driving tests, starting from 7am and extending to 7.25pm — something that presumably limits the effectiveness of the plan to summer months, and indeed there RSA has said that the plan is supposed to be in place until September. Advertisement Speaking of the RSA plan, Mr Canney said: "The provision of a timely and efficient driver testing service is a key priority for me. The experience of learner drivers seeking a driver test over the last number of years has been unacceptable, and the service being offered needs to be greatly improved as soon as possible. "I welcome the RSA plan to bring wait times down to 10 weeks by no later than early September, and I expect the RSA to fully deliver on this commitment. "There can be no deviation from this timeline and I have instructed the RSA to ensure contingency plans and remedial measures are in place and ready to deploy to ensure that no slippage occurs.' Quite how the Government expects the RSA, which has failed so spectacularly in its other tasks that it soon won't exist in its current form, to fix this issue is another matter. Advertisement The Government has so far been keen to blame individual learner drivers for the problem, stating that some drivers book tests but fail to show up, thereby slowing the flow of tests taken. The issue of resources remains somewhat unaddressed — of 70 extra driving tests examiners promised before Christmas, the first tranche are only now starting to carry out tests. In the meantime, there is the potential for gaming the system somewhat, in an effort to get an earlier test. There's no onus on you to take your test in your local testing centre, and although you'd have to be confident that you can do OK on unfamiliar roads, you're perfectly entitled to book a test at any of the 41 centres around the country. Helpfully, Irish insurance aggregator Quote Devil has come up with a list of the centres with the combination of shortest wait time and highest average passing rates, so that you can maximise your chances of getting a test early, and then passing it first time. Advertisement According to Quote Devil's research, the testing centre with the shortest average wait time of those where more than 50 per cent of applicants pass first time out, with the wait at 13.3 weeks, half the national average, is Tuam in Co. Galway. That centre also manages to schedule 92 per cent of its applications within one month, so your chances of getting an early test are quite good. Ireland Driving test backlog reaches new high: Check the l... Read More Next best is Ennis, Co Clare on 13.5 weeks, followed by Thurles, Co Tipperary (14.3 weeks); Tipperary town (14.3 weeks); Loughrea, Co Galway (14.5 weeks); Shannon, Co Clare (15.8 weeks); Carrick-on-Shannon, Co Leitrim (17.2 weeks); Cavan town (17.6 weeks); and Monaghan town (18.8 weeks). What about the worst, though? According to Quote Devil's figures, the centre with the longest average wait for a test, of those with a passing average less than 50 per cent, is Dun Laoghaire/Deansgrange, with an average wait of 30.6 weeks, three weeks longer than the national average. That's a full seven months, and that's just the average. Advertisement Next worst is Naas, Co Kildare on 25 weeks, then Tallaght, Co Dublin on 24.4 weeks. The centre with the lowest passing rate? That'll be Charlestown, Co Dublin, where only 36.2 per cent of applicants pass on the first go. Mind you, Charlestown only makes you wait 16 weeks on average for a test, so at least you can get booked again quickly.
Irish Independent
23-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Independent
Tipperary taxi driver speaks out as getting a lift is ‘literally impossible' in rural Ireland – ‘Socialising has gone completely'
With only 25 taxis left in Clonmel, locals say nightlife and essential travel are vanishing as post-Covid struggles and rising costs cripple the industry. Today at 07:24 Trying to get a taxi in large parts of rural Ireland is literally impossible, and new solutions are needed so country people can enjoy a night out, a Tipperary TD has said, as a local taxi driver shared what his sector is going through. Speaking in the Dáil on Tuesday, May 13, Labour Party TD Alan Kelly told junior minister Sean Canney that he has been chasing the issue of taxi licences since 2012. Deputy Kelly suggested solutions such as local publicans joining forces to provide a service to their customers.
Irish Examiner
22-05-2025
- Automotive
- Irish Examiner
RSA to open new test centres and expand operating hours to reduce waiting times
New driving test centres in "key areas" of the country and testing on bank holidays form part of the Road Safety Authority's new plan to drastically cut lengthy waiting times which have caused a backlog of 100,000. The RSA said it has been tasked with cutting driving test waiting times from an average of 27 weeks to 10 weeks by early September. Today it unveils its 'urgent response amid unprecedented demand'. 'We know how frustrating and disruptive these delays are — especially for people who need a licence for work, college, or caring responsibilities,' RSA chief executive Sam Waide said. 'I want to offer a sincere apology to everyone who has been affected. Our team has developed a focused, projection-based plan to improve availability and reduce wait times.' The plan includes: The 'accelerated' training of new testers through the use of additional training facilities, and a new approach to training that will see testers deployed earlier to centres. Expanded testing hours, including overtime for weekday evenings, Saturdays and bank holidays, with tests running from 7.25am to 7pm. Manual interventions in the booking system to make sure invitations are issued to areas of greatest demand New driving test centres in 'key areas', bringing the national total to 60. The RSA has come in for sustained criticism in recent months for the delays to driving tests, with issues facing those with long waits raised frequently in the Dáil. Junior transport Minister Sean Canney last week said the Government 'does not consider the current situation acceptable', adding that the RSA was planning to have the 10-week waiting time in place by the end of the year. In its statement today, the RSA said it has also been directed by the minister to examine 'contingency measures' inside and outside the organisation to deal with any future demand surge for driving tests. Demand for driving tests has risen 61% since 2021, with 157,183 conducted that year compared to 253,850 last year. The body added that it will publish its progress on reducing the waiting time to 10 weeks on a fortnightly basis. Mr Waide added: 'Every part of the system is being mobilised to deliver for the public. 'We're asking customers to support the effort by cancelling early if they cannot attend, so that appointments can be offered to others. Every cancelled slot that's re-used helps us reduce the backlog faster. 'Also, we're urging customers to ensure they prepared for their test as over 4,000 tests so far this year couldn't be conducted for reasons such as vehicles without a valid NCT, Tax, Insurance or not deemed roadworthy.' Read More National average waiting time for driving test is 27 weeks
The Irish Sun
09-05-2025
- Politics
- The Irish Sun
Major boost for all Irish parents as new free public transport scheme revealed
IRISH parents are set for a big boost as a new scheme that will allow children under 9 to travel free on public transport has been revealed. 2 Public transport for children under nine is set to be free Credit: Alamy 2 It was announced by Minister of State Sean Canney today Credit: James Connolly Part of Budget 2025, the initiative was announced during a Dáil Éireann session today and is now being developed by the National Transport Authority. And it is set to be rolled out in the third quarter of the year. It means that The aim is to ease pressure on household budgets, make transport more accessible and build long-term habits among young children for choosing buses, trains over cars. READ MORE IN TRAVEL Minister of State Seán Canney confirmed in the Dáil that the work is underway and said that he will follow up once a specific date is finalised. He added that the policy is part of a broader government strategy to make public transport more affordable and reduce He said: "The National Transport Authority has statutory responsibility for the regulation of fares charged to passengers in respect of public transport services provided under public service obligation, PSO, contracts. "Under the programme for Government, our commitments include the roll-out of contactless payments, keeping fares affordable and examining the further expansion of free public transport for children. Most read in News Travel "Specifically, budget 2025 included a measure to extend free child fares on PSO services to children aged five to eight years old. "The NTA is working to develop and implement this change, with the new scheme expected to launch in quarter 3 of this year. "This targeted initiative is designed to help with the cost of living for families and to encourage children to start using public transport from an early age." 'It's very important' - Ryanair's 'baggage sizers' warning to Irish passengers ahead of busy Easter break amid €75 fine He also flagged an issue raised by the While ID checks are currently rare on public transport for children, he said that introducing a requirement could add complications to the scheme. He said: "As we have discussed, in budget 2025 which was announced last October my colleague the then Minister for Transport, Eamon Ryan, secured funding to roll out free public transport across our public transport network for children aged under nine. "This initiative had a number of purposes. It was aimed at reducing congestion by providing commuters with a cheaper alternative. It was also built around creating the habit of using public transport among young children. "Very importantly, in the middle of a cost-of-living crisis it was designed to save commuters money." The cost of implementing the measure is estimated at around €8million. The initiative builds on earlier public transport fare reduction schemes such the 20 per cent cut in 2023, the young adult Leap card and most recently the introduction of the new The Short Hop Zone has now been replaced by the new Dublin Commuter Zone which has expanded to 50 kilometres from the city. This updated zone is split into Dublin City Zone 1, and Zones 2, 3 and 4 - which are determined by their Journeys to and from Dublin Commuter Zones 3 and 4 have seen reduced fares - from places like Drogheda, Laytown, Enfield, Newbridge, Kildare,
