Michael McGrath: 'Inflation and labour shortages are slowing down homebuilding'

Michael McGrath told a Construction Industry Federation conference that surging costs are making it difficult for contractors to plan, price, and complete projects

'From a public-sector point of view, we have introduced a new inflation co-operation framework, whereby we are prepared to share the burden of the extra inflation with the industry, Public Expenditure Minister, Michael McGrath, told the conference. File picture: Julien Behal

Rising material costs and labour shortages are suppressing home building in Cork and across the country — and a significant percentage of homes granted planning permission are not being built, according to Cork County Council.

Public Expenditure Minister Michael McGrath said volatility in construction material costs is a concern.