Decarbonising Ireland’s Housing: Policies and Workforce Transformations

Ireland’s housing sector is a cornerstone of the country’s climate strategy. However, achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 and addressing the housing crisis is not only a technological challenge but also a workforce challenge. The construction industry faces a significant skills shortage, and expanding training opportunities and apprenticeship programs is critical to bridging this gap.

Key Policy Recommendations

In addition to transformative technologies and financial incentives, the construction workforce must grow and adapt. Ireland needs an estimated 120,000 new construction workers and the reskilling of 164,000 existing workers by 2030 to meet housing and climate goals.

This workforce expansion should be supported by:

1.????? Investing in Training Centres

·???????? Why It Matters: Training centres focused on retrofitting, Nearly Zero Energy Building (NZEB) standards, and modern construction techniques are essential for workforce readiness.

·???????? Action Needed: Expand strategically located Centres of Excellence, as initiated by SOLAS, to upskill workers for energy-efficient retrofitting and construction

2.????? Reviving Apprenticeship Uptake

·???????? Why It Matters: Despite increased interest in construction careers, apprenticeship numbers remain low, particularly in trades like plumbing and carpentry.

·???????? Action Needed: Introduce financial incentives and tax breaks for companies to sponsor apprenticeships, alongside public campaigns highlighting trade careers as viable and rewarding.

3.????? Streamlining Immigration Processes

·???????? Why It Matters: Shortages of skilled workers, including engineers and tradespeople, cannot be addressed solely by domestic training efforts.

·???????? Action Needed: Facilitate the recruitment of skilled labour from other EU countries and streamline visa processes for non-EU workers to meet immediate demand.

Heat Pumps: A Key to Decarbonisation Heat pumps remain central to Ireland’s Climate Action Plan. These systems can reduce household CO? emissions by 40-60%, but their installation is labour-intensive and requires a skilled workforce. Scaling up their deployment will depend on bridging the trades deficit and ensuring every home meets the insulation standards needed for heat pump efficiency.

Achieving Ireland’s housing and climate targets demands a coordinated response. Expanding training centres, incentivising apprenticeships, and fostering collaboration between industry and education are crucial steps. By addressing workforce challenges, we can ensure the housing sector not only meets today’s demands but builds a sustainable future for generations to come.

What’s Next? In our next edition, we’ll explore how green construction practices can enhance biodiversity, featuring case studies of sustainable neighbourhoods and nature-based solutions.