Call to all ex-pat tradespeople to come and build back home

Back for Business, the free programme aimed at supporting returned or soon to be returning Irish emigrants to start and develop a business in Ireland, is seeking new applicants for its ninth cycle.

The annual break over Christmas and into New Year is a traditional time for emigrant Irish across the world to return home for the holidays.

This year, the Government will be hoping many of them might move home permanently, bringing their construction skills and experience to help deliver on ambitious targets for new housing and infrastructure.

 Construction workers are in demand, and there are multiple opportunities for those who have moved abroad and are considering returning. Between now and 2030, up to 70,000 new entrants are needed to fill a variety of construction-related roles — from bricklayers to plumbers and architects to project managers. 

The ‘Build Back Home’ campaign aims to engage with builders and tradespeople in cities such as London, Sydney, and New York to determine what incentives might encourage them to move back to Ireland. The overarching goal of the campaign is to convey the message to Irish individuals living abroad that their help is urgently needed.

 “We want to send a message to the Irish people who may have left because there weren’t jobs in construction in the past. There weren’t jobs when the economy crashed, but that Ireland is a very different place now.” 

The campaign aims to spread awareness among Irish individuals abroad that there are significant opportunities in Ireland’s construction industry, and urges them to consider returning home and contributing to the efforts to address the housing crisis. “You built Sydney, now come and build back home” runs one of the slogans.

Research shows that Irish engineering and construction firms are now offering financial incentives and relocation packages to attract international talent. 

However, a report from recruitment firm Sonas Technical identifies cost of living and housing shortages as major barriers preventing Irish ex-pat workers from relocating to Ireland. 

“Without tax breaks or housing supports, the significant cost of living remains a deterrent for many, and while companies are stepping up with tailored relocation packages, government intervention is essential,” said Derek Byrne, managing director of Sonas Technical. “By linking tax breaks and housing supports to the Critical Skills Employment Permit, the Government can directly address the cost of living and housing challenges that international talent faces. 

"These measures, which would be temporary and targeted, will play a key role in attracting skilled professionals necessary to meet our housing targets and complete critical projects like Metrolink,” Mr Byrne added.

Back for Business, the free programme aimed at supporting returned or soon to be returning Irish emigrants to start and develop a business in Ireland, is seeking new applicants for its ninth cycle. 

The development programme, which is funded by the Irish Abroad Unit, Department of Foreign Affairs, was created to foster and support entrepreneurial activity among emigrants recently returned to Ireland. 

In opening the call for applicants, Neale Richmond, Minister of State for International Development and Diaspora said: “Back for Business is a concrete example of the practical support that is provided through the Government’s Emigrant Support Programme, to equip early-stage entrepreneurs with the knowledge, confidence, and networks to successfully start and develop sustainable businesses.” 

The programme is aimed at returned Irish emigrants who have lived abroad for at least a year and have returned to Ireland in the last three years, or for emigrants currently living abroad who are planning to return to Ireland in the near future. 

Since launching in 2017, the programme has helped participants to significantly grow sales and employment. It addresses challenges that all early-stage entrepreneurs encounter, but also focuses on additional barriers faced by emigrants who have been living away from Ireland.

 Those who completed last year’s programme, Back for Business 8, were positive in their feedback with 100% saying they would recommend the programme to others and would like to stay in contact with the Back for Business community.

Deadline to apply – Friday, January 16th. See: www.backforbusiness.com