Ireland facing shortfall of 2,200 surveyors, warns report

If growth reaches 3.5% Gross National Income, the shortfall of surveyors will be over 3,000 surveyors

Dr Roisín Murphy from TU Dublin, the author of ‘Employment Outlook for the Surveying Profession 2026 – 2029 with new SCSI president Tomás Kelly. Picture: Conor McCabe

Ireland is facing a shortfall of more than 2,200 surveyors over the next four years, a new report by the Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland (SCSI) has warned.

The report entitled ‘Employment Outlook for the Surveying Profession 2026 – 2029’ projects a shortage of over 2,200 surveyors under a median growth scenario of 2.5% Gross National Income (GNI) per annum in Ireland over the next four years. If growth reaches 3.5% GNI, the shortfall of surveyors will be over 3,000 surveyors, the report said.

There are currently 2,382 students enrolled on surveying programmes. As demand grows, that means there will still be an annual shortage of around 23%, said new SCSI president, Tomás Kelly. Mr Kelly said the figures showed the need to ramp up enrolment of surveyors in third-level colleges and to expand additional pathways to the profession, including through apprenticeships. 

 “The findings demonstrate persistent and, in some cases, widening shortages, notwithstanding many positive awareness initiatives and an overall large increase in educational enrolments on surveying programmes since the first of these reports was published in 2014," said Mr Kelly. 

Mr Kelly said shortages were particularly acute at graduate and mid-career level, with legacy gaps arising from the 2008-2013 economic downturn continuing to affect the availability of experienced surveyors. He said this was placing pressure on mentoring capacity "essential for leadership development and succession planning. "Addressing the shortfall of surveyors identified by the report – as well as additional skills shortages in other professions and trades – must be a priority for government and the industry to ensure the delivery of key infrastructural projects and the National Development Plan.”

Mr Kelly said the launch of quantity surveying apprenticeships is a welcome initiative but overall, SCSI needs to attract experienced professionals from other sectors with transferable skills, such as technology, legal, and finance.

“For example, there may well be opportunities for people employed in the technology sector to transition to new careers in property, land or construction. Digital competence, data-driven decision-making and emerging tools, such as AI, drones and sensor-based measurement, are no longer optional; they are integral to any future-ready practice. With the right training, these tools will enhance professional judgement, not displace it.” 

The report was commissioned by SCSI and compiled by TU Dublin senior lecturer Róisín Murphy.