'Untapped resources': Construction industry needs more women, says CIF Cork chair 

As Ireland faces challenges in delivery of housing and infrastructure, Patsy Supple says women should be encouraged to enter sector

Young women in Ireland should be encouraged to enter a a career in construction, as Ireland faces challenges in delivery of housing and infrastructure, the new chairperson of the Cork branch of the Construction Industry Federation (CIF) Patsy Supple has said. Ms Supple is a Director at Mavro Property Ltd, with 35 years of experience in the building and property sector.

Young women in Ireland should be encouraged to enter a career in construction, as Ireland faces challenges in delivery of housing and infrastructure, the new chairperson of the Cork branch of the Construction Industry Federation (CIF) has said.

Patsy Supple was speaking at the organisation’s annual dinner at the Fota Island Resort on Friday night. Ms Supple was previously CIF Cork chair between 2007 and 2009. Ms Supple is a director at Mavro Property, with more than three decades of experience in the building and property sector.

Addressing almost 300 guests, Ms Supple said construction in Ireland is facing many challenges as delivery of projects, particularly in housing, need to be scaled up to meet the country’s needs.

“I would ask everyone in this room - whether you are parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles or mentors - to encourage the young people in your lives to consider careers in this sector. 

I would particularly encourage you to inspire young women to join our industry. They remain one of our greatest untapped resources. 

"If we ever think construction might not be a suitable career for women, then perhaps it is time for all of us to ask what changes we need to make to ensure that it is.” 

Challenges to meet demand

Ms Supple said Cork continues to grow as a vibrant and attractive place to live and work. However, she noted that despite the sector’s best efforts, there is still a long way to go to meet Ireland's target of 50,000 homes to be built per year. She said that one of the biggest challenges facing the sector is the length of time it takes to get projects started.

“A small housing scheme can take five years from the moment a site is purchased to the moment the homes are delivered. For larger projects - whether it is housing, a school, hospital or road project - that timeline can easily stretch to 10 years or more before construction even begins. And that is assuming that water, power, and infrastructure are already in place. If we are truly going to address Ireland’s housing and infrastructure challenges, we must look closely at how we reduce unnecessary delays before projects even reach the site stage.” 

Ms Supple called for coordination between contractors, planners, developers, local authorities, utility providers, government departments and financers to speed up the process.

“None of these stakeholders can deliver projects on their own, but when we work together with a common purpose progress happens much more quickly and projects move forward. When we operate in silos, projects slow down - and sometimes stop altogether. Our industry is ready to build. The skills, expertise and commitment are all there. But real progress requires genuine partnership between all stakeholders so that we can align our processes, streamline timelines and ultimately deliver projects more efficiently for the benefit of the entire country.”