Future of Construction & Engineering IE - Q1 2026

Future of Construction & Engineering

Q1 2026 | Created for Mediaplanet

“Over the next few years, Ireland will implement significant changes to the regulations governing new buildings.”

Irene Rondini, Communications Manager, Irish Green Building Council Page 02

www.businessnews.ie

“There is a shortage of engineers in all developed economies, and Ireland has to compete for this talent.”

Damien Owens, Director General, Engineers Ireland Page 06

How one school is transforming built environment education

As Ireland’s construction sector faces growing demand for skills, sustainability expertise and digital capability, the role of higher education has never been more critical.

The School of the Built Environment at Atlantic Technological University (ATU) is emerging as one of Ireland’s most progressive providers of construction, engineering and architectural education. Emphasising real-world learning, digital innovation and flexible study pathways, it’s redefining how future professionals prepare for a dynamic sector.

Its modern, industry-aligned programme portfolio spans undergraduate, postgraduate, online, blended and apprenticeship routes. Programmes in quantity surveying, civil engineering, construction management, architecture, architectural technology, fire safety engineering, sustainability and digital construction provide multiple entry and flexible progression pathways for learners at different career stages.

Education that prepares for employment

Partnering with industry and education providers across Ireland, the school has developed new online and blended consortiumled apprenticeships in civil engineering and quantity surveying, which are proving very popular due to their ‘earn and learn’ approach. Additional initiatives include programmes in digital construction and participation in crossborder innovation projects such as Green Skills enablement through the GRASP Peaceplus project and 5G CEF development programme.

Work placements, live project work and collaboration with regional and national partners ensure programmes remain grounded in professional practice, enabling graduates to leave with practical experience and industry insight.

The school is also advancing digital learning through initiatives such as a free Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) in Lean Construction and a recently launched ‘Introduction to BIM’ MOOC designed to support digital adoption across the sector. Cross-campus collaboration within ATU strengthens programme delivery, while Erasmus and international partnerships create further opportunities for staff and students.

Opportunity to be professionally accredited

The school also offers programmes recognised by the Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland (SCSI), Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB), Engineers Ireland, Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland (RIAI), Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) and Chartered Institute of Architectural Technicians (CIAT). With four departments across Letterkenny, Sligo and Galway, it supports almost 3,000 students and over 200 staff, delivering one of Ireland’s most comprehensive built environment programmes.

Designing buildings use less and deliver more

Dr Trevor McSharry Head of School of

Environment,

Over the next few years, Ireland will implement significant changes to regulations governing new buildings, which will affect how we measure the climate impact of construction.

From 1 January 2028, anyone building a new building larger than 1,000 m² will be required to report its whole-life-cycle emissions. By 1 January 2030, all new buildings will have to do this, and limits on these emissions will be introduced.

So, what does this mean? Until now, buildings have mainly been evaluated for the energy they use once people move in — heating, lighting and power. This is calculated on each Building Energy Rating (BER) cert.

But buildings also cause emissions before anyone steps inside. These emissions come from producing materials like concrete and steel, transporting them and building the structure — as well as maintaining it over time, and eventually taking it apart. These are called embodied emissions, and research for the Irish Green Building Council (IGBC) shows they make up 14% of Ireland’s total emissions.

Benefits of planning based on full impact These new rules aren’t just paperwork — they offer a chance to create better and more efficient buildings. When designers and builders consider a building’s full impact from the beginning, they often end up using fewer new or

virgin materials, making spaces more flexible and choosing options that last longer and cost less to maintain. Research across Europe shows that cutting these emissions can even save money. A 2022 study found that designs that reduced embodied carbon by over 40% also reduced overall construction costs by 9% on average.

Case study: Dublin’s Treasury building redevelopment By reusing large amounts of structural steel, structural engineers at CORA significantly cut the embodied carbon of Dublin’s Treasury building and saved the client money. The CO2 savings were equivalent to driving from Dublin to Hong Kong more than 500 times.

SEAI has now published a draft method for measuring lifecycle emissions, meaning builders and designers can start using it today. Even though limits for new homes won’t come in until 2030, starting early will help Ireland learn which building choices produce the lowest carbon impact.

Relatable role models and technology help inspire future careers in construction

Learn how one organisation is leveraging creativity and technology to encourage future careers in construction.

The Construction Industry Federation (CIF) is dedicated to showcasing the benefits of a construction career for the next generation. To help advance this goal, CIF supports Maynooth University’s STEM Passport for Inclusion, a programme designed to address unequal access to STEM courses and careers for second-level students from underserved communities, empowering students by providing a recognised STEM qualification and the support of an industry mentor.

CIF’s recent STEM mentorship video campaign succeeded in increasing the number of industry mentors from 12 to 120. To learn more about the STEM Passport for Inclusion and to view the campaign, visit our website.

Today’s young people are digital natives and innovators, making them uniquely positioned to tackle Ireland’s housing, infrastructure and sustainability needs in the future.

Initiatives to inspire future STEM careers

To inspire school-goers to consider a future career in the industry, CIF hosted an immersive ‘Construction Zone’ at ‘iWish,’ an event that took place in the RDS in February, promoting STEM careers to approximately 4,000 secondary schoolgirls.

Featuring interactive exhibits, talks from industry experts and a strong presence of female industry role models, including Rose of Tralee Katelyn Cummins and stonemason Petra O’Flaherty, who is part of the Government’s Building Heroes campaign, CIF’s Construction

Zone helped highlight the role of women in shaping the future construction workforce.

Apprentice stonemason Petra O’Flaherty joined us again at the CIF International Women’s Day Summit 2026 by taking over the CIF TikTok channel to share her experience and highlight her takeaways. As the first woman in Ireland to pursue a stonemasonry apprenticeship in more than 30 years, Petra brings a unique boots on the ground perspective, which she regularly shares with her growing online community.

‘A Day in My Boots’

The summit featured an apprentice graduate panel, ‘A Day in My Boots,’ where female graduate engineers, sustainability professionals, site managers and other emerging talent shared candid insights into their day to day experiences and career journeys. The panel was live linked to an all girls’ secondary school, allowing students to ask panellists directly about their career journeys, with reigning Rose of Tralee and electrical apprentice Katelyn Cummins hosting the Q&A session.

Today’s young people are digital natives and innovators, making them uniquely positioned to tackle Ireland’s housing, infrastructure and sustainability needs in the future.

Shaping the future: how innovation and partnership are lowering carbon in construction

One organisation is driving low‑carbon, high‑performance construction through data, innovation and partnership.

Ireland’s construction landscape is changing rapidly, shaped by the push for sustainability, faster delivery and proven performance. As regulations tighten and carbon targets increase, project teams need solutions that are reliable, tested and tailored to real‑world conditions.

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Saint‑Gobain’s role is to support the entire construction ecosystem, designers, contractors, MMC manufacturers and merchants, with low‑carbon products, verified systems and the technical assurance that turns ambition into certainty. Across Gyproc, Isover and the wider group, the company is investing in testing programmes, digital tools, product innovation and on‑site guidance to ensure systems meet Ireland’s demanding building requirements, from airtightness and acoustics to fire safety, moisture performance and durability.

This year also marks a significant milestone, as Saint Gobain brand Gyproc celebrates its 90th anniversary in Ireland, nine decades of innovation, partnership and performance. It’s a celebration that will not only look back at Gyproc’s heritage but also introduce exciting new initiatives planned for the years ahead, reinforcing the company’s long‑standing commitment to the Irish construction sector.

The aim, as ever, is simple: to help the industry build lighter, faster, lower‑carbon and higher‑performing buildings, without compromising compliance. As Managing Director, Kieran Holohan says, “We’re backing our words with action, investing in technology, testing and partnerships that let the industry perform while cutting carbon.”

When it comes to supplying materials and services for large‑scale commercial construction projects, a one‑size‑fits‑all approach simply doesn’t work. “That’s because different sectors have different needs and priorities,” says Barry Hennessy, Commercial Sector Director at Saint‑Gobain. The company designs, manufactures and distributes light and sustainable materials across a wide variety of commercial settings, each with its own regulatory and performance expectations.

Different sectors, different requirements In healthcare, for example, acoustic privacy is essential. A consultation room beside a waiting area requires specialist sound insulation to ensure confidentiality. Education brings different acoustic challenges again. “Colleges or schools will have various acoustic requirements in common areas,” Hennessy explains. “It’s important to realise that the construction industry is more complex, regulated and specialised than ever.”

Giving construction projects tailored solutions and specialised support

To meet this complexity head‑on, Saint‑Gobain has adopted a sector‑led methodology, ensuring specifications reflect the precise technical, compliance and operational needs of each building type, whether a hospital, school, data centre or multi‑occupancy residential scheme.

This approach recognises that fire integrity, acoustic control, moisture management, durability and thermal efficiency all behave differently across sectors. Tailored specifications therefore gives customers clearer choices, fewer site surprises and performance designed in from the start.

But performance depends on more than choosing the right system; it requires consistent, expert support throughout the entire project. This is where ProjectSure, Saint‑Gobain’s dedicated service offer for large commercial and non‑residential projects, comes into play. ProjectSure supports the full journey, as Hennessy puts it, “Our service offer brings design support, technical assurance and training together, so specifiers get clarity, contractors get speed and Building Control gets confidence.”

By blending sector expertise with structured project support, Saint‑Gobain is helping deliver smoother builds, fewer issues and higher‑performing buildings across Ireland.

AHow different green initiatives bring sustainable change to construction

Construction industry stakeholders are looking for partners who promote sustainability measures such as recycling schemes, shorter supply chains and on-site energy generation.

s Ireland’s construction industry faces growing pressure to decarbonise, stakeholders are seeking partners who can deliver genuine sustainability, not just through products, but across the full value chain.

It’s a challenge Saint‑Gobain is determined to meet. “Our customers are actively looking for partners who promote recycling, circularity and sustainability,” says John Crosse, Supply Chain & Circularity Director. “Apart from the green imperative, there’s a cost imperative too.”

Saint‑Gobain’s approach recognises that achieving low‑carbon construction means transforming every stage of the supply chain: how materials are sourced, manufactured, transported and ultimately reused. “Decarbonisation isn’t one project, it’s how we design, source, manufacture, deliver and recover every day,” notes Crosse.

Changes that contribute to greener operations

A major milestone in this transformation is the company’s behind‑the‑meter solar installation in Kingscourt, Co. Cavan. Developed with their partners Activ8 & SSE Airtricity, the 2.5 MW solar farm now supplies 15% of Gyproc’s electricity needs, generating renewable power directly where it is consumed. This model represents a practical blueprint for industrial decarbonisation across Ireland.

At the sourcing stage, Saint‑Gobain is shortening supply chains and reducing transport emissions. A recent investment in a quarry extension secures a long‑term local supply of gypsum, reducing reliance on long‑haul imports and significantly cutting transport‑related carbon. “We’ll be sourcing raw materials from our own local rock source, which will shorten our logistics and achieve a significant reduction in our CO2 emissions,” says Crosse.

How innovation is building efficiency and sustainability into construction

Giving construction professionals a broader range of innovative solutions and services will make their jobs easier and construction projects more efficient and sustainable.

For 90 years, Gyproc has supported the Irish construction market, and today, innovation and modern methods of construction (MMC) are reshaping that support more profoundly than ever. By combining Gyproc products with the wider Saint‑Gobain portfolio, customers can access complete envelope, infill façade and internal partition solutions from a single, trusted source.

With in‑house design expertise, performance calculations and project‑specific optimisation, the team helps project leaders de‑risk decisions early, improving programme certainty while delivering lighter, faster and safer buildings.

As Liz Ryan, Marketing & Customer Experience Director, explains, “For multi‑occupancy residential, healthcare and education, where speed and performance matter most, our approach to innovation keeps compliance and constructability front and centre.”

Innovation that makes construction easier

Much of Saint‑Gobain’s innovation strategy centres on practical improvements that enhance installer experience and site efficiency. Gyproc’s identification of a spray‑application solution for Skimcoat helps plasterers cover more area with less effort while maintaining the trusted finish.

“Traditionally, plaster has been hand‑applied,” says Wayne Murphy, Head of Solutions. “When developing our innovation pipeline, we ask ourselves one simple question: does this make the installer’s job easier, the site faster and/or the project more sustainable?”

As another powerful example, Gyproc is also investing in a custom cut plasterboard service. With up to 20% of plasterboard typically ending up in skips, cutting boards to exact project dimensions dramatically reduces on‑site waste, improves efficiency and ensures boards arrive ready to install. It’s a practical sustainability

Lower‑carbon transport and greener operations

Transport decarbonisation is another priority. Saint‑Gobain plans to move 70% of all deliveries to HVO (hydrotreated vegetable oil) by the end of the year, while transitioning 20% of its own fleet from diesel to electric. “All of our forklift trucks will be electric or run on HVO by the end of 2026,” Crosse adds. These changes will play a major role in delivering the company’s 2030 commitments: a 33% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 emissions, and a 16% reduction in Scope 3 emissions.

Circular solutions that reduce waste and cost

Saint‑Gobain is also expanding circularity, turning waste into a resource. Through its partnership with The Pallet Loop, pallets are now recovered and reused at scale, reducing site clutter, landfill and customer disposal costs. Waste gypsum collected from construction sites is remanufactured into new Gyproc plasterboard, meaning less virgin material is needed and a meaningful loop is closed. Meanwhile, Isover’s lower‑ink packaging improves recyclability while enhancing on‑site identification.

Product innovation is delivering carbon reductions, too. Saint Gobain is working on several projects to reduce the amount of energy, water and raw material used in the manufacturing of our products. Gyproc are also preparing to transition to low‑carbon steel, a shift Crosse describes as “a game‑changer.”

With renewable energy, circular materials, cleaner logistics and collaborative innovation, Saint‑Gobain is building a supply chain ready for Ireland’s low‑carbon future and proving that sustainability and practicality can go hand in hand.

solution that saves both time and cost. Material innovation is advancing too, from low‑carbon products to Gyproc’s front‑of‑board printing, a first‑in‑Europe feature supporting Building Control and contractor QA through clear, post‑installation identification.

Innovative approaches to support off‑site manufacturing

As Ireland accelerates off‑site adoption across healthcare, education and multi‑occupancy projects, Saint‑Gobain is deeply embedded in delivering tested, compliant solutions. As one of the founding members of MMC Ireland, it collaborates with OSM partners on system, fire and acoustic testing.

In addition, Intewall, the off site manufactured pre panelised partition system accelerates installation while drastically reducing waste and is ideal for multi residential schemes. Similarly, Saint Gobain has the ability to provide bespoke façade framing solutions to meet project specific requirements helping to further reduce waste and increase installation efficiencies. Timber frame manufacturing, while more mature in terms of development, is also a focus area for Saint Gobain and as members of the ITFMA they continuously strive to support timber frame customers with not only technical supports but also exploring new possibilities. As Evan O’Keeffe, Market Development Manager, notes, “OSM integration works when products, testing and design support arrive as one solution.”

To deliver infrastructure, we need the people to do it

The challenges we face in infrastructure delivery can be surmounted, but we need the people to do it.

Newly published Government action plans have laid out both the systemic reasons for the inadequate supply of new housing stock and infrastructure, and approaches to speed up their delivery. These public policy analyses are timely interventions that will, hopefully, make a real impact in addressing shortfalls.

The planned initiatives to address the problem include a more proportional judicial review system, reforming Ireland’s fragmented and complex regulatory landscape, multiyear funding of projects while activating land on which building can take place, enabling investment and increasing the skills pool necessary to deliver housing at the required levels.

There is a shortage of engineers in all developed economies, and Ireland has to compete for this talent.

like Metrolink are required to ease the delivery of new housing. The same professionals, such as engineers, who are essential to the delivery of housing, will also be required to provide these valuable assets.

Last year, Engineers Ireland published research suggesting that more than 22,300 additional engineers would be required over the next decade to support Ireland’s economy. This does not consider the need for additional architects, surveyors, electricians, carpenters and many others required to meet our construction needs.

Opening pathways to help solve engineering talent shortage

There is a shortage of engineers in all developed economies, and Ireland has to compete for this talent. To safeguard our increasingly technology-dependent economy and provide critical infrastructure, we need to do more to encourage more students to choose engineering and remain in the profession once they graduate. The addition of STEM to the primary school curriculum is a welcome change, but more must be done.

Greater exposure to engineering and the work of engineers at a young age, additional support for career guidance teachers to enable them to clearly articulate the benefits of an engineering career and broadening pathways into engineering through alternative routes, such as apprenticeships, will all help.

Engineers crucial to boosting housing delivery

Housing delivery does not exist in a bubble, as it also requires increased infrastructure. New onshore and offshore wind farms, an improved electricity grid, heightened capacity for water and wastewater delivery and transport services

Built differently: why modular construction must lead Ireland’s housing response

From homes to transport, modern methods of construction offer Ireland a faster, smarter way to meet urgent national demand.

Housing demand in Ireland continues to outpace supply, adding pressure on rental markets and social housing delivery.

Simultaneously, the State is progressing major infrastructure projects such as the new MetroLink. Both challenges share a common question – not just how much we build, but how we build. Traditional construction methods, while proven, were not designed for the scale and speed now required. As demand rises and delays continue in delivering the government’s ‘Housing for All’ strategy, the question is how to provide homes within the necessary time scale.

Modular construction offers a credible solution by shifting key elements of the build process into controlled factory environments, reducing weatherrelated delays, improving quality assurance and delivering much-needed accommodation where it’s required most, often within weeks.

The growing challenge of the housing shortage Ireland’s housing shortage has placed immense strain on emergency accommodation providers. Latest figures show 17,112 people were living in emergency accommodation in January 2026, including 5,319 children – the first-time homelessness exceeded 17,000. Over the previous year, numbers rose by nearly 12%, highlighting the growing pressure on Ireland’s housing system.

Portakabin is helping address housing pressures through high-quality, temporary modular accommodation delivered rapidly where needed most. These spaces provide safe, permanent-quality homes with the dignity of a private front door, allowing local

authorities to deploy, relocate or remove them as demand evolves.

Major infrastructure investment and workforce needs

Meanwhile, Ireland is entering a period of major infrastructure investment, including the delivery of the 19-kilometre MetroLink, linking Swords to Dublin city centre. It will require around 8,000 workers during construction, with thousands more across supply chains and supporting industries. Experts estimate Ireland may need up to 80,000 additional construction and infrastructure workers.

Providing high-quality sleeping accommodation close to major project sites would help support these workforces and reduce pressure on already stretched local housing markets. Modular accommodation can be installed rapidly near infrastructure projects and remain in place for the duration of construction before being relocated and reused elsewhere.

“The flexible hire offering from Portakabin means buildings are not simply temporary structures but adaptable assets that can be redesigned, renovated and repurposed as demand changes,” Said Matt Onland, Portakabin Ireland’s New Market Development Manager. “By combining speed of delivery with long-term quality, modular accommodation can support both social housing responses and infrastructure delivery across Ireland.”

As Ireland tackles the housing crisis while investing in major national infrastructure, the innovative approach offered by modular accommodation can play an important role.