€24bn transport infrastructure plans 'compromised' by skills shortages and productivity challenges, report claimed

NTA briefing warned productivity was well below Celtic Tiger peaks

The State’s ability to deliver billions of euro of transport infrastructure is being compromised by acute skills shortages, ageing workers, and a building sector dominated by small firms, a briefing to the National Transport Authority (NTA) stated. Picture: Getty

The State’s ability to deliver billions of euro of transport infrastructure is being compromised by acute skills shortages, ageing workers, and a building sector dominated by small firms, a briefing to the National Transport Authority (NTA) stated.

The paper said productivity was well below Celtic Tiger peaks and that there was poor uptake of modern methods of construction. The NTA document said delivery of Ireland’s complex transport projects – with more than €24bn in planned investment over the next five years – was a “significant risk”.