One in four architects earn less than €20,000

ONE in four architects surveyed are now making less than €20,000 a year.

Almost two out of three are earning less than €45,000, according to the Royal Institute of Architects of Ireland (RIAI). It said more than half of architects surveyed are unemployed, working part time or working for themselves on small projects.

Director of the RIAI John Graby said architecture was never a high-paying profession but in the last year salary rates have collapsed.

He said evidence shows there seems to be a demand for architects. The organisation had a massive response to a recent initiative when just under 1,000 people availed of consultations at the RIAI Simon Open Door Weekend where members of the public booked one-hour consultations with an architect in exchange for a €50 donation to Simon.

“A thousand consultations over a weekend strikes me as indicating that there’s a big pent up demand for smaller projects that could bring many of our members back from the dole,” said Mr Graby.

RIAI members said they are seeing a “definite increase” in the black economy with cash passing between client and builder.

The organisation is proposing a VAT amnesty to builders for smaller projects.

“This VAT holiday has been used in both Belgium and France and with builders paying income, PRSI and corporation taxes, the move was greatly tax positive for those states.

“We’ve seen the success of the car scrappage scheme. We believe a similar scheme for household projects could have the same success,” said Mr Graby.

The RIAI also met with Government officials recently to discuss converting empty offices, apartments and houses into school buildings to replace portakabins. “Far from costing extra money, good design saves money, even on something as simple as having a design that allows for the use of a school as a community centre outside of school hours – something that is standard in Nordic countries.

“Our members are confident that they can transform existing buildings into first class facilities, possibly giving NAMA its first social dividend,” said Mr Graby.