CIF wants a Minister for Infrastructure and Construction
As the date for General Election 2016 is announced for Friday 26th February, the CIF (Construction Industry Federation) is calling for the new Government to create a Minister for Infrastructure and Construction.
Speaking yesterday as the CIF publishes its election manifesto and has issued it to candidates running the election, Director General Tom Parlon said :
“I believe that the next Government must do better to address the housing crisis, the growing skills shortages and the infrastructural bottlenecks throughout the country.”
The document outlines seven key priorities for the new Government, and the solutions that the construction industry have on hand to meet these objectives. These are: Economic Growth; Job Creation; Investment in Infrastructure; Supporting FDI; Solving the Housing Crisis; Increasing Office Space; Career Opportunities for the Irish Labour Force.
Here are the main ideas of the manifesto :
“Today we are asking all election candidates to really understand the crucial importance of the construction industry in delivering the economic growth they are all talking about and planning for. Our experience in recent years is that there is a lack of joined up thinking in relation to issues surrounding construction. Issues like housing, planning, procurement, transport, communications, flooding, and ensuring sufficient skills to protect the recovery are scattered across at least 6 different Ministries. That is why we are calling for a new seat in Cabinet for a Minister for Infrastructure and Construction. We believe that there is a growing need for action from Government to ensure all agencies and departments coordinate to sustain a thriving construction sector.”
Then it concludes in these terms :
“Our industry now employs approximately 130,000 people and this is growing at a rate of about 1,000 jobs per month. It is likely to generate a turnover of €15 billion in 2016. This excludes smaller schemes and self-build/residential extensions, which could account for a further €3 billion. Yet right now it accounts for only 7% of GNP, but we want to see this raise to 12%. Over the coming months, we will cooperate closely with all of our members to move forward these Governmental ‘Calls to Action’ as outlined in our Manifesto.”
