Ireland lacks number of skilled workers needed to meet housing and retrofitting targets

To deliver housing and retrofitting targets over the coming years, total employment would have to reach about 217,000 in the construction sector. Picture: iStock

Ireland lacks the number of skilled workers needed in many areas to meet housing and retrofitting targets, with further shortages set to appear in the coming years as construction ramps up, a new Government report has warned.

The paper from the Department of Higher Education and Skills has said sourcing the required number of craft workers will be “challenging” in the coming years, as it advised the construction workforce may need to reach “Celtic Tiger” levels again.