Irish Construction News, November December2024

Thermal Bridging Solutions

Armatherm™ is one of the leading suppliers of structural thermal break materials for the construction industry. Our goal is to provide architects, engineers and contractors with the knowledge and materials to effectively address thermal bridging issues. Armatherm™ thermal break materials have low thermal conductivity, high strength, and have been designed and tested to carry the loads, whilst reducing the cold bridge within a building envelope.

ARMATHERM™ MASONRY SHELF ANGLE

Material Type: ARMATHERM™ FRR

ARMATHERM™ BALCONY CANOPY

THERMAL BRIDGING SOLUTION

Material Type: ARMATHERM™ Z GIRT

ARMATHERM™ COLUMN BASE

Material Type: ARMATHERM™ 500

ARMATHERM™ PARAPET ROOF PENETRATION

THERMAL BRIDGING SOLUTION

Material Type: ARMATHERM™ 500

ARMATHERM™ FOUNDATION WALL

Material Type: ARMATHERM™ Z GIRT

ARMATHERM™ CLADDING

THERMAL BRIDGING SOLUTION

Material Type: ARMATHERM™ Z GIRT

irish construction news

5 Prospects 2024/2025 Report sets out progress on projects that make up Project Ireland 2040

5 Strong growth in housing, but overall construction activity fell in October

BAM completes work on Snugborough Interchange in west Dublin 7 Sisk Sorensen JV set to tee off at €150M Adare Bypass 9 Kirby opens €8m Laois facility for offsite manufacturing 9 ESB opens its latest battery storage project as part of a €300m investment

LDA publishes plans for almost 200 homes in north Dublin

Bretland Construction celebrates 25 years in business with the opening of new Offaly HQ

13 Ballymore strengthens commitment to Irish supply chain with Guaranteed Irish partnership

Wexford County Council seeks engagement with developers to unlock the delivery of Trinity Wharf

Building Services Engineering journal embarks on a new chapter

Oaklee launches first cost rental homes in partnership with Quintain

Uisce Éireann completes €28m in south Dublin and north Wicklow Water Supply Scheme

APPOINTMENTS

18 Suir Engineering appoints Stephen Robinson as group technical director 9 Leanne Broderick appointed managing director for Sisk’s Irish regional building division

Matthew Baldry announced as sales director of Glanua Industrial

FINANCE

21 Tips for managing finances in Ireland in 2025 – Milestone Advisory

INTERVIEW

22 Glanua’s growth strategy drives workforce and market expansion – Karl Zimmerer, Group Managing Director, Glanua

PROJECTS

Energiesprong – A street-by-street approach to deep retrofit

OPINION

32 The next government incentivise building restoration over demolition – Joseph Kilroy, Policy & Public Affairs Manager, CIOB Ireland

SECTOR FOCUS

37 Vision Contracting rounds off another successful year with wins at NISO Awards

The financial upside of a safety-first site at Tritech Engineering

Learning opportunities Digital Academy for the Sustainable Built Environment

BIM Mandate Conference 2024 – Build Digital

Construct Innovate two years on – What’s next?

Addressing concrete’s carbon footprint – Conor Hayes, Head of Sustainability, Irish Concrete Federation

Irish ambassador hosts MMC forum in London

SUSTAINABILITY

48 Green homes drive key to tackling housing crisis and climate emergency

Have you started to measure the embodied carbon of your building projects yet?

PRODUCTS AND SERVICES

All the latest products and services news

PUBLISHER

Foundation Media Ltd

1 Northumberland Place, Dún Laoghaire, Co Dublin.

Tel: +353 (0)1 677 3157

EDITOR

Robbie Cousins robbie@foundationmedia.ie

DESIGN

Joanne Birmingham

CONTRIBUTORS

Darragh Hogan, Joseph Kilroy, Kasia Heffernan, Lenny Antonelli

PRINTER

WG Baird Ltd

ADVERTISING SALES

Joe Connolly

joe@foundationmedai.ie

Tel: +353 (0)86 396 6158

ADVERTISING AND PROMOTIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

To advertise in Irish Construction News or on www.constructionnews.ie, or to request a ratecard or details of promotional opportunities, contact Joe Connolly at joe@foundationmedia.ie

CONNECT WITH US ON SOCIAL MEDIA

Twitter: @constructionnews.ie

Linkedin: Constructionnews.ie

Facebook: Constructionnews.ie

SIGN UP FOR OUR E-NEWSLETTER

To get the latest news, articles and offers related to the Irish construction industry to your inbox sign up to our free e-newsletter at www.constructionnews.ie

While every effort has been made to ensure that the information contained in this publication is correct, the publisher cannot not accept responsibility for any errors, omissions or discrepancies. Views expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the publisher.

From the editor

According to the latest CSO figures available on its recently launched ‘Housing Hub’ webpages, in the first nine months of 2024 (January - September), there were 21,634 housing completions, down 691 units on the equivalent amount in 2023. However, between January and September of this year, there were 49,007 home commencements recorded, up from 23,923 for the same period in 2023.

On the labour front, the latest CSO Labour Force Survey (Q3 2024) shows an increase in the number of people employed in construction, with 176,300 people recorded, up 6,900 or +4% from the 169,400 employed at the end of September 2023. Of the 176,300 employed, 16,043, or 9%, are female, and 160,257 are male.

Another survey by the CSO’s Earnings Analysis Section, which shows women accounting for 14% of the construction workforce, reports that men account for 95% of the top earners in the sector. The anomaly in the percentage of women in the sector can be in part attributed to the Earnings Analysis Section’s piece of work recording PAYE workers only and not including selfemployed persons.

In this issue of Irish Construction News, Glanua Group Managing Director Karl Zimmerer discusses the ambitious growth plans of the critical water and wastewater infrastructure provider and points out some of the significant barriers that stand in the way of rolling out essential water infrastructure for housing.

The Irish Concrete Federation’s Head of Sustainability, Conor Hayes, explains that when compared on a level playing pitch with other building materials, concrete performs very well on equivalent CO2 emissions.

The Energiesprong retrofitting approach, which originated in the Netherlands,

typically involves snapping a pre-fabricated shell of panels to the exterior of a building to improve thermal efficiency. We case study a successful multiple-house retrofitting project in Nottingham, detailing key learnings from the work.

CIOB Ireland Policy & Public Affairs Manager Joseph Kilroy writes that the next government needs to prioritise green skills with a comprehensive skills and resourcing plan to accompany any housing, planning, and infrastructure strategies.

Construct Innovate’s Kasia Heffernan looks back on the Centre’s first two years in operation and sets out opportunities for the sector to get involved in its 2025 programme.

Lenny Antonelli, Membership Engagement Officer, IGBC, highlights key programmes for 2025 and outlines how contractors can measure and reduce the whole life carbon of their construction projects.

Elsewhere, we have all the latest construction and engineering news and analysis.

Please take a moment to scan the QR code below and sign up for our free e-newsletter. And, if there are any issues or stories you would like to see featured in Irish Construction News, email me at robbie@ foundationmedia.ie

We wish you a Happy Christmas and a Prosperous 2025!

Regards

Robbie Cousins

Scan to subscribe to free e-newsletter

It’s why we pride ourselves in focusing on how we, as a team, can always improve. It means embracing new technologies, continuous professional development, reviewing projects for fresh insights and building close relationships with our supply chain. After all, to build smarter, we need everyone to go further.

Go Further | Build Smarter We

Prospects 2024/2025 Report sets out progress on projects that make up Project Ireland 2040

The Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform, Paschal Donohoe, has published the ‘Prospects 2024/2025’ report, which highlights 50 projects that make up Project Ireland 2040.

Prospects 2024/2025 sets out a clear pipeline for some projects in Project Ireland 2040. This pipeline spans a wide range of projects, from those currently at planning and appraisal stage to projects that are completing construction this year.

Over half of projects are large-scale infrastructure in the areas of public transport, housing and health, ranging in value from €200m up to €1bn+.

Almost 60% of projects are set to commence in 2025 and 2026, and around half of projects are anticipated to be completed between 2027 and 2029, such as:

• Wastewater Treatment Plants in Bailieborough, Buncrana and Nenagh

• M28 Cork to Ringaskiddy Road

• University Hospital Waterford 60-Bed Acute Mental Health Unit

• New post-primary schools in Westmeath and Wicklow under Project Dargle and Regenerated social housing in Constitution Hill, Dublin 7.

Speaking about the publication, Minister Donohoe said: “I’m very pleased to welcome the publication of Prospects 2024/2025. Prospects sets out a clear pipeline for 50 individual projects that make up Project Ireland 2040. We need the construction industry in Ireland, the EU and internationally to consider the role that they can play in delivering the projects outlined in Prospects. Ireland needs competitive, dynamic, and sustainable construction firms that can deliver high-quality physical infrastructure.

“The Construction Sector Group (CSG), overseen by my department, ensures regular and open dialogue between government

and industry on how best to achieve and maintain a sustainable and innovative construction sector. The CSG’s Innovation and Digital Adoption Sub-Group continues to drive the delivery of its priority actions. The Build Digital Project is developing BIM templates and guidance for the industry in line with the BIM requirements for PWCs. Construct Innovate is providing cutting-edge research to make Ireland a global leader for sustainable construction and built environment technology. The Demonstration Park for Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) will showcase innovative building techniques in Mount Lucas.”

Scan the QR code to download the Prospects 2024/2025 Report

Strong growth in housing, but overall construction activity fell in October

The latest BNP Paribas Real Estate Ireland Construction Total Activity Index shows that housing activity increased sharply in October, but overall construction activity fell in October.

The BNP Paribas Real Estate Ireland Construction Total Activity Index rose slightly to 49.4 but remained below the 50-point threshold, indicating contraction. This marks the second consecutive month of decline.

John McCartney, Director & Head of Research at BNP Paribas Real Estate Ireland, said that the surge in residential construction is the big takeaway from October’s PMI.

“After contracting continuously through 2023, the housing sub-index has been stable or rising for the last nine months. However, the rate of expansion accelerated sharply in October. Deadlines to avail of the development levy waiver and the water connection charge refund drove sharp spikes in the number of commencement notices filed in April and September, respectively.

“But a condition of these incentives is

that units must be completed before the end of 2026. So, with the paperwork done, developers are now getting on with the actual construction,” John McCartney explained.

But he added that commercial activity dropped solidly in October 2024.

“The tapering-off of commercial activity is also welcome, as it reflects a slowdown in office building,” McCartney said. “Dublin’s office market is now amply supplied and, although a significant quantity of new space is still winding its way to completion, new starts have dried up. This will help to limit further vacancy increases, allowing demand to catch up in time.”

The report shows that input costs continued to rise sharply in October.

Despite slight reductions in activity and new orders, companies were increasingly confident that construction output would rise over the coming year.

Sentiment was slightly stronger than the series average, with some respondents predicting a renewed increase in new orders, while others highlighted confidence in demand for housing.

Employment rose for the second month, running at a modest pace that was broadly in line with that seen in September.

BUILDING SECURE PENSIONS

The Irish government’s Auto Enrolment (AE) pension scheme has moved from blueprint to construction. Are you ready?

CPAS is the construction industry specific pension provider. Whether you are an employer seeking to provide benefits for your employees or planning your own retirement, CPAS has the right solution for you.

CPAS and its industry wide pension schemes have been supporting the construction sector by providing pension, life assurance and illness benefits for nearly 60 years.

We are working with employers to ensure they are taking the necessary steps to get AE ready.

Talk to us today email info@cpas.ie, call 01 2234949, or visit www.cpas.ie/AE www.cpas.ie

BAM completes work on Snugborough Interchange in west Dublin

BAM has completed work in the Snugborough Interchange Upgrade at one of Dublin’s busiest routes along Junction 2 of the N3. This complex multi-storey project, co-funded by National Transport, is a critical strategic infrastructure project that will improve connectivity, ease traffic congestion, reduce travel times and encourage safe, active and sustainable methods of travelling in the area.

To mark the completion, Snugborough Interchange was officially opened by the Mayor of Fingal, Cllr Brian McDonagh, alongside Minister for Finance, Jack Chambers TD and Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Roderic O’Gorman TD on 01 November.

At the opening, John Lucy, Regional Manager Director, BAM, said: ‘’We are committed to building sustainable infrastructure that meets society’s needs. The Snugborough Interchange upgrade project is vital for local development, easing traffic, reducing travel times, and ensuring safe connectivity for all. BAM is proud to have delivered this complex project for Fingal County Council. This project’s success is due to the collaboration between BAM, Clifton Scannell Emerson, Fingal County Council and our supply chain partners, congratulations to all involved. We would also like to thank the public for their patience and understanding during the works.’’

The project features a new second bridge over the N3 and cycleways on the bridge above the N3 and the River Tolka, which improves accessibility to Blanchardstown Shopping Centre. A new active travel underpass network below Snugborough Road also provides a much-improved connection between Old Corduff Road, Tolka Valley, Waterville Park and Blanchardstown Village.

Mayor of Fingal, Cllr Brian McDonagh, said: ‘’This upgrade

Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth Roderic O’Gorman; Ethna Felten, Deputy Chief Executive, Fingal County Council; Minister for Finance, Jack Chambers; and Mayor of Fingal, Cllr Brian McDonagh.

shows our commitment to improving active travel, accessibility and connectivity. It will help improve network congestion issues and provides significant improvements for pedestrians, cyclists and motorists in Blanchardstown and surrounding areas.”

Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth Roderic O’Gorman commented, ‘’I am delighted to see the official opening of the Snugborough Interchange, which I have no doubt will be of huge benefit to people in Dublin 15 and beyond. As a resident of Blanchardstown village, I’m already seeing those benefits in terms of reduced congestion.”

Sisk Sorensen JV set to tee off at €150M Adare Bypass

Sisk and Sorensen Civil Engineering Ltd Joint Venture has been announced as the successful bidder for the construction of the Adare Bypass. Subject to the necessary approvals, it is programmed to have the contract awarded by the end of 2024.

In November 2023, the government announced its approval to advance the construction of the Adare Bypass to facilitate its delivery ahead of the Ryder Cup in Adare Manor in 2027.

The bypass will divert any unnecessary through traffic away from Adare and remove a significant point of congestion on the N21, improving the safety and quality of life for people living and working in the village and facilitating improvements to the urban realm.

Will Merriman, Managing Director, Civils Ireland, Sisk, said: “We’re excited to announce that Sisk, in partnership with Sorensen, has secured the contract for the Adare Bypass. This long-awaited project, commissioned by Limerick City and County Council and Transport Infrastructure Ireland, will improve connectivity and benefit communities across the region. Alongside Sorensen, we look forward to delivering this important infrastructure

project ahead of the Ryder Cup in 2027.”

John Wallace, Managing Director, Sorensen, said: “We are delighted to have joined forces with Sisk in submitting the successful tender for the Adare Bypass. We look forward to working with our colleagues at Sisk to deliver this crucial infrastructural project on behalf of Limerick City and County Council and Transport Infrastructure Ireland.”

Mayor of Limerick John Moran said: “Today’s announcement is significant. It is a priority of the mayoral programme to advance the Adare Bypass. To have it in

place by the Autumn of 2027 remains very ambitious and would represent a significant achievement given the time remaining.

“Many risks to a successful outcome are outside the control of the council. Limerick City and County Council will do everything it can to achieve this ambitious target but requires the goodwill and active cooperation of all agencies/stakeholders involved and/or affected by the project.”

The Adare Bypass is one element of the Foynes to Limerick Road Project, a 35km road connecting Limerick city to the port of Foynes.

Kirby opens €8m Laois facility for offsite manufacturing

Kirby Group Engineering has officially opened its new offsite manufacturing (OSM) facility at Junction 17 National Enterprise Park in Portlaoise, Co Laois. The €8m development is set to create 50 jobs. It will be critical to the company’s continued growth as it manufactures a range of components for projects across Ireland, the UK, and mainland Europe.

Kirby employs over 1,800 people and has developed a first-class reputation in the life sciences, data centre, industrial, power and renewables sectors. The Limerickheadquartered firm is on track to record revenue of more than €700m in 2024.

Over 20 people are already working at the Portlaoise facility, and Kirby expects that figure to reach 50 by the end of next year. The facility team provides fabrication, welding, engineering and BIM services. It also features a dedicated cleanroom to facilitate high-purity pipework, as required by many of Kirby’s hi-tech clients.

Kirby Group Engineering CEO Mark Flanagan said offsite manufacturing (OSM) is in high demand among its customers, including a number of global IT leaders. “OSM provides incredible savings when it comes to hours on site, equipment on site,

scheduling control, quality control and, of course, health and safety. We now aim to complete 25% of our projects through prefabricated methods, and this facility is central to that target.”

In addition to the OSM services, the new building houses office space and a dedicated apprentice training facility, which will allow for classroom-based and practical education.

Job creation at the offsite manufacturing facility has come about with the support

of Enterprise Ireland. Leo Clancy, Chief Executive Officer, Enterprise Ireland, said: “Enterprise Ireland is delighted to support this new development by Kirby Group. I would like to congratulate Mark and all the team at Kirby on today’s opening, and we look forward to continuing to work with the team to support the company’s operations and growth both in Ireland and in overseas markets, providing high-value services for global customers across multiple sectors.”

ESB officially opens its latest battery storage project as part of a €300m investment

ESB has opened its latest major battery plant at its Aghada site in Co Cork. This will add 150MW (300MWh) of fast-acting energy storage to help provide grid stability and deliver more renewable power to Ireland’s electricity system.

This battery energy storage system (BESS) project is the latest in ESB’s pipeline of projects delivered at sites in Dublin and Cork, which are part of its investment of up to €300m in the technology. In 2022, ESB launched the first of its BESS sites, the 19MW (38MWh) project, also in Aghada. Earlier in 2024, ESB opened a new 75MW (150MWh) project at its Poolbeg energy hub in Dublin.

ESB partnered with Fluence - a global leader in energy storage products, services and software - and Irish company Powercomm Group to deliver this project.

EU Commissioner-Designate for Democracy, Justice and Rule of Law, Michael McGrath, commented: “I am delighted to be here in Aghada again for the launch of ESB’s latest battery storage project. Through the delivery of projects like this, which will facilitate more renewable sources of energy onto the electricity system, it is clear that ESB’s relationship with Co Cork will continue into the future. This technology, delivered by ESB and their partners, can play an important role in achieving climate targets in Ireland and Europe in the pursuit of net zero carbon emissions”.

Paddy Hayes, Chief Executive, ESB, outlined how the project will support ESB’s Net Zero by 2040 carbon emissions target: “ESB’s Aghada site in Cork has been a key part of the progressive development of the Irish electricity system for over 40 years – and

the launch of ESB’s largest battery storage project so far is another significant milestone. These batteries support energy security, reduce peak prices and help to maximise the benefit of renewables. This is the latest of ESB’s ‘Invested in Ireland’ projects, with over €300m recently invested in storage and security, supporting Ireland’s National Development and Climate Action plans.”

Pictured (L to r) at the opening of ESB’s battery plant at its Aghada site in Co Cork: Sharon Corcoran, Director of Services - Economic Development, Enterprise & Tourism; Cork County Council; James Cafferty, Managing Director, Powercomm Group; Cllr Ann Marie Ahern, Cork County Council; EU CommissionerDesignate for Democracy, Justice and Rule of Law, Michael McGrath; Paddy Hayes, CEO, ESB; and Lucy Plant, Director of Sales, Fluence Energy.

Kirby Group Engineering CEO Mark Flanagan (left) with Enterprise Ireland Chief Executive Leo Clancy at the official opening of Kirby’s offsite manufacturing facility in Portlaoise.

We resolve. You build.

Make sure you are protected

Contact Peter McCarthy LL.M.,BSc., FSCSI, FCIArb

Cork: +353 21 455 5678

Dublin: +353 1 639 2927

Email: peter@conlex.consulting

We specialise in contract support for the Construction Industry, providing solutions to commercial risk throughout the life cycle of a construction project including:

→ Pre Contract Review

→ Post-Contract Support

→ Preparation, Defence and Negotiation of Claims

→ Payment Dispute Resolution

→ Construction Contract Training

Our goal is to protect the financial interests of main contractors and sub-contractors of all sizes giving you peace of mind!

Land Development Agency publishes plans for almost 200 homes in north Dublin

The Land Development Agency (LDA) has published draft plans for a new affordable and social housing development at Kinsealy in north county Dublin.

The proposed scheme will deliver 193 two and three-bedroom homes on the site of the former Teagasc Research Centre. The land is being transferred by the state’s Agriculture and Food Development Authority to the LDA for the development of affordable housing.

The homes will comprise a mix of houses, duplexes and apartments - suitable for families, first-time buyers and older peopleas well as a creche, landscaped open spaces, and new pedestrian and cycle greenway links. The homes will be made available for sale through the Local Authority Affordable Purchase Scheme or as social homes.

The proposed new development is located between Clarehall and Malahide, close to Dublin Airport, with excellent bus links on the Malahide Road and train connections from Portmarnock DART station. Clarehall and Northern Cross shopping and retail centres are nearby.

The LDA is seeking views from the local

community on the draft proposals to inform the planning application and is encouraging residents, businesses and community groups to engage and contribute to the design process.

Phelim O’Neill, Head of Property at the LDA, said: “Community engagement is fundamental to the delivery of every LDA development, and we are hoping that residents in Kinsealy will help shape this important residential project.

“As the state’s affordable housing delivery body, we are acutely aware of the housing need in north county Dublin and will work

with the local community to ensure that we deliver a well-connected, sustainable and inclusive development.

“I would also like to thank Teagasc for making this land available to the LDA and for working with us to facilitate its transfer”.

The LDA is expecting to submit a planning application in early 2025. Subject to approval, construction on site could begin in 2026, with the first homes being delivered in 2028.

Full details of the draft plans are available at www.lda.ie/projects/kinsealy.

Bretland Construction celebrates 25 years in business with the opening of new Offaly HQ

Bretland Construction, one of Ireland’s leading construction companies, has opened its new corporate headquarters in Edenderry, Co Offaly, with the honours performed by Offaly County Council Cathaoirleach, Cllr Tony McCormack.

The official opening coincides with Bretland Construction’s 25th anniversary in business. Founded in 1999 by Fechin and Mary Daly, Bretland Construction has grown significantly into one of Ireland’s most respected names in construction. The company is committed to delivering quality projects across residential, commercial, and infrastructure sectors.

Deputy Managing Director of Bretland Construction, Coleman Yates, said: “Today, we celebrate the opening of our new headquarters and the remarkable journey Bretland has taken over the past 25 years. What began as a small, family-run business has grown substantially into one of Ireland’s leading construction companies. This is mainly thanks to the excellent team of professionals across many disciplines, the ongoing support of our clients, and the strength of our community of Edenderry and beyond. We are honoured to have Cllr Tony McCormack with us today to mark this exciting new chapter.”

Cllr McCormack commented on the new Bretland offices: “Bretland Construction has established a reputation for delivering projects of the highest quality while also contributing to the development of vibrant, sustainable communities across Ireland. The opening of this new headquarters is a testament to Bretland’s commitment to excellence over the past 25 years. I am thrilled to join the team in celebrating this significant milestone, which also reflects positively on the development and economic growth of the

Pictured left to right: Cllr Tony McCormack, Cathaoirleach, Offaly County Council; Fechin Daly, Managing Director, Bretland Construction; Mary Daly, Managing Director Bretland Construc-tion; and Coleman Yates, Deputy Managing Director, Bretland Construction.

area.”

The new HQ will serve as a central hub for the company’s expanding portfolio of projects and reflects Bretland’s commitment to community and regional growth.

Bretland Construction has established a reputation for delivering projects of the highest quality, while also contributing to developing vibrant, sustainable communities across Ireland. The company covers a range of projects, from personal dream homes to advanced commercial buildings and robust industrial facilities. Sustainability and safety are at the core of Bretland’s work, ensuring lasting and responsible construction.

Edenderry

A CGI render of the LDA’s proposed Kinsealy development.

Ballymore strengthens commitment to Irish supply chain with Guaranteed Irish partnership

Guaranteed Irish has announced that Ballymore has officially partnered with Guaranteed Irish to champion local businesses and sustainability through the Guaranteed Irish House initiative.

Founded in Kildare in 1982, Ballymore has built 35,000 homes across Ireland, the UK, and Europe and has heavily invested in Ireland’s construction industry. The new partnership with Guaranteed Irish further demonstrates Ballymore’s commitment to bolstering Irish enterprise by enhancing its local supply chain and supporting domestic businesses.

Guaranteed Irish House is an innovative directory that connects developers, specifiers, and contractors with Irish-based suppliers. It covers a comprehensive range of construction products and services, from raw materials to final finishes, ensuring that Ballymore’s future projects incorporate even more locally sourced goods and services. Currently, 60% of the products used in Ballymore’s developments come from Guaranteed Irish members, and the company aims to significantly increase that figure in the coming years.

Speaking about the new partnership, Brid O’Connell, CEO, Guaranteed Irish, said: “We are thrilled to have Ballymore on board with the Guaranteed Irish House initiative. Ballymore’s commitment to integrating a Guaranteed Irish supply chain into their projects is a significant step towards promoting sustainability and supporting local businesses. This collaboration exemplifies the essence of what Guaranteed Irish stands for—trust, provenance, and community support.”

Patrick Phelan, Managing Director, Ballymore in Ireland, added: “Working with Guaranteed Irish aligns with our dedication to

L to r: Hayleigh O’Farrell, Head of Brand & Communications, Ballymore; Brid O’Connell, CEO, Guaranteed Irish; Patrick Phelan, Managing Director, Ballymore; Clemence Jamet, Operations & Sustainability Manager, Guaranteed Irish.

sustainability and community engagement. By tapping into the Guaranteed Irish House directory, we ensure our developments not only meet the highest standards but also positively contribute to the Irish economy and local communities. We are excited to deepen this partnership and increase the use of local products and services in our projects.”

The partnership highlights Ballymore’s ongoing commitment to Ireland, with plans to develop more homes across the country, including a strong footprint in Dublin, Wicklow and Kildare. Ballymore also remains dedicated to supporting cultural and charitable initiatives alongside their construction activities.

To learn more about the Guaranteed Irish house directory, visit www.guaranteedirishhouse.ie

Wexford County Council seeks engagement with developers to unlock the delivery of Trinity Wharf

Wexford County Council is seeking private investors and developers to help transform Trinity Wharf, Wexford, into a vibrant, mixed-use urban quarter.

The council plans to develop a world-class destination to include high-quality office blocks, luxury apartments, a four-star hotel, a multi-functional conference and cultural centre, a state-of-the-art marina and a public plaza.

To facilitate this ambitious project, the council will provide essential infrastructure, enabling works, and initial site preparation, including the marina. However, the council intends to partner with the private sector to own and operate the commercial assets, maximising the project’s potential. The council has initiated a preliminary market consultation process to gauge industry interest and gather feedback.

The 5.5-hectare Trinity Wharf site is located on a strategic waterfront position between Wexford harbour and Wexford town and was acquired by the council.

A Trinity Wharf masterplan was designed in collaboration with Scott Tallon Walker architects, and planning permission was received in 2020.

The development and investment opportunities include:

• A 9,941 sq metre four-star, 120-bed hotel over seven floors to include dining and lounge facilities incorporating a cocktail bar

• A 2,945 sq metre multi-functional conference and cultural centre extending over two floors to include a conference room, exhibition space, artist studios and a café

• A 6,820 sq metre apartment block with 58 apartments spanning over six floors

• A 1,528 sq metre restaurant arranged over three floors with a café, retail accommodation, external terrace and first-floor restaurant

• Three office blocks of six floors each, ranging from 4,992 sq metres to 6,104 sq metres.

• A six-storey 462-space car park and a further 47 spaces at surface level.

A total of €20m has already been allocated to the project under the Urban Regeneration Fund, with another €7m ringfenced by Wexford County Council.

The council is open to exploring various commercial structures with investors or developers interested in delivering the commercial assets for the project. It is prepared to support any reasonable or required revisions to the current planning permission for the commercial assets.

CGI render of Trinity Wharf development, Wexford.

Building Services Engineering journal embarks on a new chapter

The team behind Irish Construction News are delighted to announce that we have entered into a new venture with Tower Media Ltd to publish the long-established industry journal Building Services Engineering.

Joe Connolly, Foundation Media Ltd, Robbie Cousins, and Philip McGaley of Tower Media Ltd have entered into a partnership to continue the long tradition of the industry journal, which Pat Lehane of Pressline has published for the past 50 or so years.

In continuous publication since it was established in 1961 as the Irish Plumbing + Heating Contractor, the journal has undergone various name changes through the years. Every name change was devised to reflect the changing nature of the industry and to reflect its terminology and language.

Having spent 50 years editing and publishing Building Services Engineering,

Pat Lehane commented:

“The time has come to pass the baton on to a new team to progress and develop the journal going forward. It has been a wonderful journey for me, and my thanks to all who have supported me, both professionally and personally, down through the years. I’m particularly grateful for the many friendships made, and I have every intention of maintaining these. I’m not

leaving the building services sector entirely, but I will no longer be involved in the publishing of Building Services Engineering.

“That said, the incredible legacy of the magazine is now in the capable and safe hands of Philip McGaley, Joe Connolly and Robbie Cousins. Between them, they have a wealth of experience in business-to-business publishing and already have several other construction-related journals in their stable. Building Services Engineering is the perfect addition to that portfolio.”

Pat Lehane’s long-time sales colleague, Joe Warren, ensures continuity and remains as an independent consultant to the new publishers.

Regarding the new venture, Robbie Cousins acknowledged Pat Lehane’s long tenure at the helm of Building Services Engineering and said he was excited about the publication’s future.

“I have known Pat for a number of years and have enjoyed getting the opportunity to work more closely with him in recent times in preparation for the magazine’s transition. I wish Pat every success in the future. I now look forward to working with the sector as editor of Building Services Engineering to highlight the pivotal role of engineering services in our built environment sector.”

Uniquely, every edition of the magazine published since April 1961 is currently available to download freely in pdf format from the TU Dublin Institutional Research Repository at https://arrow.tudublin.ie/bsn/

If you would like to learn more about Building Services Engineering, visit www.buildingservicesengineering.ie, scan the QR code or email robbie@buildingservicesengineering.ie

(L to r): Robbie Cousins, Joe Connolly, Pat Lehane, Joe Warren and Philip McGaley.

Latest issue of Building Services Engineering.

Oaklee launches first cost rental homes in partnership with Quintain

The award-winning approved housing body (AHB) Oaklee has officially launched its first cost rental homes at The Sidings in Adamstown in Co Dublin in partnership with Quintain Ireland and South Dublin County Council (SDCC).

This new development is one of the largest cost-rental projects in the country and involves a mixture of 154 one-, two-, and threebedroom homes.

Cost rental housing is designed to provide affordable and secure accommodation for those on middle incomes, with rents based solely on the cost of construction, management, and maintenance.

Monthly rents for the homes at The Sidings apartment development are at least 25% below market rates and range from €1,525-€1,800. The 154 apartments include 71 one-bedroom, 81 twobedroom and two three-bedroom units.

Oaklee is delivering the homes with the support of SDCC through funding from the Department of Housing’s Cost Rental Equity Loan (CREL) scheme and private financing from the Housing Finance Agency (HFA).

Oaklee already manages over 2,500 homes across 19 counties, but this new development marks its first launch of cost-rental homes, a tenure the organisation expects to deliver more of in future. All the homes are A-rated, high-quality and spacious, with fully fitted kitchens and built-in wardrobes.

The development was designed by Henry J Lyons and delivered by Quintain to complement the first phase of development at The Crossings urban village. The Sidings is a nine-storey gateway building and a visual marker for this new neighbourhood. The architectural design includes feature balconies, brickwork and active frontages to the ground floor level.

THE CROSSINGS

The Sidings apartment development forms Phase 2 of The Crossings, a new urban village located at the heart of Adamstown with many services and amenities already in situ and with more to come. Quintain has already delivered 279 apartments in The Crossings, with a further 436 apartments under construction and a fourth phase currently being master planned.

The village centre includes a large shopping centre with Tesco and Aldi supermarkets, other individual retail outlets including a McCabe’s pharmacy unit, Grafton Barbers, Urban Vets, Belfry&Co and ABC Gym. The development also includes a public plaza and a three-acre public park, and there are several creches and schools nearby. The Crossings is also located next to a purpose-built train station on the main west Dublin commuter and intercity train lines with excellent access to the N4 and the M50.

Speaking about the announcement, Minister for Housing Darragh O’Brien commented, “For Oaklee to be launching its first cost rental scheme here in Dublin is hugely welcome. The development in Adamstown will provide secure, high-quality homes which will make a real difference in the lives of more than 150 families and individuals. It’s clear that the hard work and effective collaboration between our local authorities and AHBs, such as Oaklee, is delivering the quantity and mix of homes which are needed to meet the needs of our people. Affordable cost rental is a key element of Housing for All and has already been extremely successful in providing stable, affordable, long-term rental homes for individuals and families. A robust pipeline of cost rental homes is now in place and it’s through the work of AHBs like Oaklee working in collaboration with my department, with our local authorities and with our agencies that we will scale it up even further.”

Sharon Cosgrove, CEO of Oaklee, said: “At Oaklee, we are committed to providing secure, high-quality homes as affordable as possible for people across Ireland. To date, our main activity has been in the delivery and management of social housing. However, now we are delighted to be involved in the delivery of these cost rental homes and to work in partnership with Quintain.”

Michael Hynes, CEO, Quintain, said: “We are excited to partner with Oaklee on the delivery of these new cost rental homes and look forward to welcoming new households to The Crossings. At Quintain, we seek to deliver new communities in addition to new homes, and this is a vision we share with Oaklee. The Crossings is a great place to live and is well-served with transport links, community facilities, retail outlets, creches and new schools. We are continuing to add to the neighbourhood, and we are in the process of delivering new apartment developments with mixed tenures that will help to ensure an even more vibrant and diverse new community.”

The Sidings cost rental scheme in Adamstown in Co Dublin has been developed in partnership with AHB Oaklee, Quintain Ireland and South Dublin County Council.

Suir Engineering appoints Stephen Robinson as group technical director

Suir Engineering Ltd has appointed chartered engineer Stephen Robinson to the position of group technical director. Based in the company’s Manchester office, Robinson will be responsible for Suir Engineering’s technical strategy in Ireland, the UK, and Europe as the company marks 40 years in business.

Stephen Robinson worked for regional and multi-national consultants, including WSP, designing and leading projects and teams across the UK, Ireland, and the Middle East before moving into contracting. His appointment at Suir Engineering follows his tenure as Northern Regional Director with full P&L accountability at Briggs and Forrester Engineering Services, which followed 11 years in leadership design and delivery at NG Bailey.

An experienced chartered engineer, his extensive skillset and diverse multimarket background provide him with valuable experiences and insights that he will bring to his role at Suir Engineering. He will oversee the company’s internal design, BIM, engineering, digital and planning functions and provide technical governance, strategy, and guidance to these

functions as Suir Engineering continues to expand its client portfolio and grow in line with the overall business strategy.

Speaking about the appointment, Brendan Moley, Chief Operations Officer, Suir Engineering, commented: “An experienced industry professional, Stephen Robinson will play a pivotal and driving role in our expansion across the UK and in new and emerging markets for the business. Innovative experts of Stephen’s calibre are vital when there’s such a need for improved electricity infrastructure and the adoption of new technologies, for example, the rise in adoption of liquidbased cooling solutions within the data centre market by our clients.”

Stephen Robinson, who has also joined Suir Engineering’s newly established Sustainability Committee, said: “I have been impressed by the technical capability of the people at Suir Engineering, who apply their considerable knowledge and expertise to its four key sectors and client projects. I’m looking forward to working with and developing these teams further, specifically with our expansion into new and emerging markets and sectors across Europe.”

Stephen Robinson, Group Technical Director, Suir Engineering.

Uisce Éireann completes €28m in south Dublin and north Wicklow Water Supply Scheme

Uisce Éireann has completed one of its largest projects, to upgrade to supply drinking water in south Dublin and north Wicklow. The Old Connaught Woodbrook Water Supply Scheme will provide a more reliable water supply for existing homes and businesses while also providing additional capacity for future growth.

To mark the completion of this critical upgrade and associated benefits to the local community and economy, Jessica Dale, Barry Butler and Daniel Kennedy from Uisce Éireann were joined by Cathaoirleach of Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, Councillor Jim O’Leary; Cathaoirleach of Wicklow County Council, Councillor Paul O’Brien, along with representatives from Ward & Burke Construction Limited, RPS Group and Nicholas O’Dwyer Ltd.

Speaking about the project, Jessica Dale, Programme Manager, Uisce Éireann, said: “We are delighted to mark the completion of this critical project. Two new reservoirs and associated pipelines will provide enough storage capacity to meet current and future demands for homes and businesses across south Dublin and north Wicklow. The upgraded scheme will cater for an additional 3,400 homes and over 300 businesses.”

She added: “The Old Connaught Woodbrook Water Supply Scheme upgrade has been delivered with sustainability and biodiversity at the heart of the project.”

The project, representing a €28m investment by Uisce Éireann, involved the construction of two new state-of-the-art reservoirs and 14km of new water mains, providing new drinking water infrastructure for the Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown and North Wicklow area. It will also provide network resilience and flexibility for the

Greater Dublin Area.

Daniel Kennedy, Water Operations Lead, Uisce Éireann, added: “The addition of the two new reservoirs provides immediate operational flexibility and resilience of the water supply to the Greater Dublin Area. Some areas were previously supplied by Vartry to Stillorgan trunk mains. If there was an issue on these trunk mains or they required preventative maintenance, it caused water outages to parts of Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown and north Wicklow, which can now be avoided.”

The project was delivered on behalf of Uisce Éireann by Ward and Burke Construction Limited.

Leanne Broderick appointed managing director for Sisk’s Irish regional building division

Leanne Broderick, Managing Director for Regional Building, Sisk.

Leanne Broderick has been promoted to managing director of regional building at Sisk in Ireland. This business unit covers Sisk’s construction activities outside the Dublin region, excluding civil engineering.

Commenting on the appointment, Paul Brown, CEO, Sisk, said: “Leanne brings a wealth of experience to this role, having worked with us for over 20 years across Ireland and the UK. She has been a regional director in Dublin for the last two years. She has demonstrated strong leadership skills and a dedicated commitment to both our people and clients, building a culture of trust and collaboration. We wish her well in her new role, as she supports our clients in delivering innovative and sustainable projects across the country.”

Leanne Broderick said: “I am delighted to take on this exciting challenge and build on the great work of Marcus Carne and his team. I look forward to getting out and meeting our clients and teams in person, supporting them in continuing to deliver great projects.”

Leanne Brodericks’s record of project delivery includes Spencer Dock, PWC Dublin, the Convention Centre Dublin, Rathbone Market in London and, most recently, 2-4 Wilton in Dublin. She also spent two years in a central role, working in Sisk’s Business Performance Team.

This follows from Marcus Carne being appointed to the position of Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) in July to lead the commercial function across the business. He has also been appointed to the Sisk Construction Board.

Matthew Baldry announced as sales director of Glanua Industrial

Glanua has recently announced the appointment of Matthew Baldry as sales director of Glanua Industrial.

With over 10 years of experience in the water and wastewater treatment sector, Matt Baldry has held several senior sales and commercial positions at ACWA Services Limited, Industrial Phycology, Power and Water, and Hydro International.

Speaking about the appointment, Keith Hayward, Managing Director, Glanua Industrial, said: “I am thrilled to welcome Matt to the Glanua team. Matt has extensive experience as a commercial director in the water industry and is well-equipped to help us achieve our ambitious plans for growing our industrial business.”

Matt Baldry brings extensive expertise in account management, business development, market penetration and sales leadership. In his new role, he will be focused on expanding Glanua’s presence in the industrial sector, particularly in the pharmaceutical, food and beverage, and meat and dairy industries. He will also play a key role in supporting Glanua’s recently acquired Aqua Operations, helping to expand the company’s operations and maintenance offerings.

Matt Baldry commented on his appointment: “I am delighted to join Glanua,

especially following their recent acquisition of Aqua Operations. This is an exciting time for the company, and I look forward to contributing to its growth and success.”

Glanua has also recently announced the appointment of Kevin Mooney as business

development manager. Kevin Mooney has a wealth of experience in water and wastewater treatment. He will focus on developing the profile and sales of Glanua and Aqua Operations across the industrial water and wastewater treatment market.

Matthew Baldry, Sales Director, Glanua Industrial.

Time.

As a wise man once said, the best way to eat an elephant is to do it one bite at a time. That’s true of your finances as well.

If you’re looking to prepare wisely for your retirement, manage your savings and investments, and protect your financial wellbeing, the best time to start is now. Call us today, and we’ll get your money working for you. Every year counts, so don’t leave your plan to the last minute.

Future you will thank you

Tips for Managing Finances in Ireland in 2025

As we arrive towards the end of 2024, and look ahead to 2025, managing your personal finances effectively remains a crucial aspect of ensuring financial stability and growth. Here are some practical tips to help you manage your finances in Ireland during this period:

1. UNDERSTAND THE TAX SYSTEM

Make sure to use the available tax credits and deductions to reduce your taxable income. Along with the health reliefs available, Pensions are a key tax saving area. If you save €500 into a deposit account, it will be invested from your net income. However, if you invest the same €500 into your pension account, it will be invested from your gross income. This means, if you pay tax at 40%, your €500 investment will only cost you €300.

2. PLAN FOR RETIREMENT

With the tax reliefs available, contributing to your retirement savings is a wise longterm financial strategy. Increasing your pension contributions is not only tax efficient but can secure financial comfort for you and your family in the future. If you are already contributing, perhaps 2025 is the year you explore options like Additional Voluntary Contributions (AVCs), which enhance your retirement savings and improve your income in retirement.

3. BUDGETING AND SAVING

Establish clear financial goals and create a budget to track your income and expenses. There may be areas where you can reduce your spending and reallocate more towards

savings. Using tools like a personal budget planner can help you stay organised and focused on your financial objectives.

4. PROTECTION POLICIES

A good financial plan will always have an element of insured protection. Mortgage Protection is not the only life cover available or required and your personal circumstances will determine the level of life cover you may require. Do you have protection should you be unable to work due to illness or injury? If not, you may consider income protection. Income protection is a type of insurance policy designed to provide you with a regular income if you are unable to work due to illness or injury. This type of policy ensures that you can maintain your standard of living and meet your financial commitments even when you are not earning a salary. This type of cover can also be tailored to suit your needs. If you have not considered protecting your income this year, make sure 2025 is the year you plan for the unforeseen.

5. INVESTMENT

Many Irish households have money sitting in deposit accounts. In the short term, this is great; however, if you do not need access to the money right away, you should consider investing your money. Investments typically offer higher returns compared to deposit accounts.

6. STAY INFORMED ABOUT ECONOMIC CHANGES

Stay updated on the latest economic

developments and government policies that may impact your finances. For instance, the Irish Government’s Budget 2025 includes expenditure increases, tax measures, and a cost-of-living package designed to support individuals and businesses. Understanding these changes can help you make informed financial decisions.

7. SEEK PROFESSIONAL ADVICE

Consider seeking advice in 2025. A survey conducted by Brokers Ireland found that those who received financial advice are more likely to have a well-funded pension, have more valuable savings and investments have improved financial outcomes. By following these tips and staying proactive in managing your finances, you can navigate the financial landscape of 2025 and beyond with confidence.

Here to help you navigate your way to financial security.

The Milestone Advisory team are qualified financial services consultants. We specialise in helping professionals in the construction sector and related industries.

Our team will work with you to review your finances, explaining your options in clear English.

No jargon – just the facts.

For more information, contact Darragh Hogan darragh@milestoneadvisory.ie

Glanua’s growth strategy drives workforce and market expansion

With a projected turnover of over €150m for 2024, Glanua is investing in its workforce and setting its sights on utilities and industrial customers beyond Ireland and the UK.

KARL ZIMMERER, Group Managing Director, speaks with Robbie Cousins about the company’s growth strategy.

Glanua is a leading provider of innovative and sustainable engineering solutions for critical water and wastewater infrastructure across Ireland and the UK. Headquartered in Galway, with a manufacturing facility in Navan and offices in Britain and Northern Ireland, the company employs over 530 people directly.

From design and construction to operation and maintenance, Glanua offers the full spectrum of services. Its dedicated offsite manufacturing and innovation facility in Navan enables it to excel in Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DfMA) and machine-building for innovative water and wastewater treatment solutions.

A NEW ERA

In 2022, the group was formally acquired by Denis Brosnan’s BHSL Group. At the time of the acquisition, Brosnan set out a vision to build an integrated, sustainable environmental solutions company with a turnover of €400m by 2028.

In August 2023, the group rebranded, consolidating Glan Agua Ltd, Glan Agua UK Ltd, Hydro International Ltd and MEIC Ltd under the unified Glanua brand.

Long-time managing director and cofounder of Glan Agua, Karl Zimmerer, was appointed group managing director of the new company. He and his senior management team put in place an ambitious strategic plan to expand the company through a mix of strategic acquisitions, finding synergies and bringing its in-house expertise to bear to give customers greater value-added service solutions.

The company is recruiting locally in Ireland and bringing in highly qualified engineering professionals from countries such as the Philippines. It also has established a two-year fasttrack post-graduate programme that brings engineering graduates to a level where they can fasttrack into project management roles. This is very important for Karl Zimmerer, as he says there has been a dearth of experienced Irish-based engineers in the past 10 years because of students being advised to stay away from construction in the wake of the last downturn.

Speaking first about the changes that have taken place within the company, Karl Zimmerer says Glanua has been growing exponentially in the past couple of years,

Karl Zimmerer, Group Managing Director, Glanua.

and this is set to continue.

Zimmerer comments: “The acquisition of Glan Agua by the BHSL Group was formally concluded in February 2022. The work that the individual businesses of the group had been doing in positioning themselves with key industry sectors and customers was then consolidated under the one Glanua umbrella in August 2023 with a clear focus on what we wanted to do, particularly in the water and wastewater engineering space.

“As Glanua, we are ideally placed to offer our customers, be they utility providers, local authorities or industrial customers, integrated and innovative business solutions. Within the Glanua team, we have extensive engineering and business expertise and experience to meet customers’ needs across design, engineering, manufacturing and construction solutions. These solutions are not only tailored to meet the regulatory compliance needs in the UK and Ireland, but they also address broader community and economic development needs. By investing in water and wastewater infrastructure, we help drive economic development needs. Whatever the challenge, we have solutions and that has become the DNA of our group.”

The company’s turnover increased by 50% for the year to December 2023, and it has opened four new offices in Belfast, Cork, Reading and London.

He says: “We are now delivering on the objectives set out in our five-year strategic business plan. Between 2022 and 2023, we doubled our turnover, and we will see further growth in 2024 with a turnover in excess of €150m.

“We’ve also trebled our workforce, going from 176 people in February 2022 to 530 staff across the UK and Ireland. So, it’s been a very exciting time for the group, providing huge opportunities for our people to develop.”

GLANUA CUSTOMERS

Glanua is the go-to partner for major water utilities in Ireland and the UK, including Uisce Éireann. It is also a tierone contractor for Thames Water and Yorkshire Water, Northern Ireland Water and most recently, United Utilities and Northumbrian Water.

In the industrial sector, its customers include names such as ABP, Tirlán, WuXi Biologics, Kerry Group and other key players in the food and beverage, pharmaceutical, and distillery industries in Ireland and the UK.

ACQUISITION STRATEGY

Glanua’s acquisition strategy has contributed considerably to its rapid growth. Karl Zimmerer says the most recent UK acquisition of Bradford-based Aqua Operations will enhance its capacity to scale its industrial business and increase its presence in the UK’s water and wastewater industry. This acquisition came less than a month after Glanua announced it had received significant funding from Rabobank to support its expansion plans. Karl Zimmerer comments, “We were delighted to receive significant strategic funding from Rabobank. Partnering with such a reputable bank is a huge endorsement and reflects the substantial potential for future growth that Glanua continues to demonstrate. A core part of our partnership with Rabobank is based on

Glanua’s recentlyt completed €33m Kilkenny City Regional Water Supply Scheme Upgrade.

Boherbue Wastewater Treatment Plant in Co Cork, allowed for the integration of innovative solutions such as solar energy, natural sludge-drying reed beds, and the preservation of constructed wetlands for stormwater overflow.

“We see Glanua as a custodian of water resources and assets on behalf of our customers and our communities.”

our shared values around sustainability.”

“The funding will ensure Glanua is wellpositioned to capitalise on the increased importance of environmental action and the emerging benefits of the circular economy, as we are committed to solving today’s environmental challenges and delivering a decarbonised and sustainable world.”

He adds: “As part of the strategy, we’re focused on providing innovative sustainable engineering solutions that can span the entire life cycle of projects, from concept and planning, through to design, construction, commissioning, operation and maintenance, as well as decommissioning at end-of-life of water and wastewater plants. We see Glanua as a custodian of water resources and assets on behalf of our customers and communities.

“We have many operate and maintain contracts throughout Ireland and the UK. Aqua Operations has an impressive customer base for whom they have been providing operation, maintenance and technical services in the industrial sector of food, meat and dairy production sectors. So they are a natural fit for the Glanua.”

PROJECTS

Recent Glanua projects include Uisce Eireann’s 1A Water and 2A Wastewater Early Contractor Involvement (ECI) programme.

In the UK, Glanua has been engaged on projects at Greenwich Pumping Station and Crossness Sewage Treatment Plant, as well as providing tertiary treatment at the Blackburn Meadows Sewage Treatment Plant.

INDUSTRIAL SECTOR GROWTH

With regulatory changes over the past 20 years, many manufacturers are looking for the best-in-class environmental compliance, and they engage service providers such as Glanua, which are best placed to operate and maintain their water and wastewater management processes.

Karl Zimmerer explains: “What we do exceptionally well is work closely with our industrial customer base to manage the overall performance of their facilities. For example, we support a pharmaceutical customer whose wastewater treatment plant is integral to its international compliance directive. Just as they strive to ensure their products meet FDA or EMA approval. They also prioritise achieving rigorous environmental standards. We provide value-added expertise that helps these customers in Ireland and the UK improve their operational and cost efficiencies, maintain compliance, and reach their own sustainability goals.”

INFRASTRUCTURE FOR HOUSING

Karl Zimmerer is president of the Water Services Operation Group, a subcommittee within the CIF and an active member of the Civil Engineering Contractors Association (CECA). Through these bodies he is engaging with the government and Uisce Eireann around meeting infrastructure needs for housing.

However, Zimmerer is greatly concerned about the lack of foresight at government level regarding the requirement for water infrastructure to deliver housing. He believes that Uisce Eireann is doing a fantastic job despite being hamstrung by insufficient annual budgets, which in 2024 was not increased as had been set out in the NDP.

“It is very frustrating to see the unrealistic perceptions about what is required to deliver water and wastewater infrastructure for new housing. Following years of underinvestment, it is often perceived that the current state of our national water and wastewater infrastructure requires approximately €15bn to get to today’s requirements for our economy. However, I believe that this figure does not consider the needs of the Housing for All plan, population and economic growth, and ever-changing environmental standards. Realistically, the government needs to invest multiples of this number.

“Since its formation in 2014, Uisce Eireann has done a phenomenal work. They often face criticism from many quarters. But, as the majority of work on these projects is below ground and not visible, the extent of their achievements is vastly underappreciated. They have inherited assets that have suffered from generations of lack of investment.

“If you look at our NDP and the plans for the strategic growth of Dublin, there is only one source supplying the whole greater Dublin region, the River Liffey. The security of this source remains a major risk for the country, and while Glanua is assisting Uisce Eireann in the upgrade of its two largest treatment plants - Leixlip and Ballymore

Eustace - that supply Dublin, it remains a huge risk for the region.

“The Dublin region needs a new water supply from the Shannon, which is expected to commence planning approvals, while a new wastewater treatment plant as part of the Greater Dublin Drainage Scheme is currently held up in a protracted planning process. Ensuring government support for the planning process and a realistic funding plan will be essential.”

He adds that it is a similar situation across all the regions, with most areas’ water and wastewater systems at or near capacity. “If a new housing development requires a water or wastewater connection in a town or village, it is very much dependent on getting the connections from Uisce Eireann, which may be unavailable due to capacity issues.

“As we all know, there is a massive infrastructure deficit across the country. If we are to add capacity for economic development and housing, a total change in mindset is needed at the governmental level with regulatory reform to ensure this can happen. This shift must prioritise increased collaboration, long-term long term planning, multi-year investment plans and innovative approaches.”

INNOVATION

Karl Zimmerer says that an example of such a change in mindset and culture is the introduction of ECI by Uisce Eireann, highlighting that ECI has brought about many innovative and cost-effective solutions.

He explains: “Uisce Eireann’s ECI programme has greatly benefited the sector and facilitated faster and more efficient project delivery. If, for instance, Uisce Eireann needs a water or wastewater treatment plant upgrade, the ECI process allows them to significantly fast-track how they would otherwise do it.

“Unlike traditional models where contractors are introduced during or after the design phase, ECI brings experienced contractors on board from the inception of a project.

“Traditionally, the process involved appointing consultants to prepare a generic design for planning, which was very timeconsuming. Following this, tender-stage drawings would be created for pricing, and then a contractor would be appointed to deliver the project.

“ECI has revolutionised this approach by eliminating much of the drawn-out traditional process. By involving us early, we can collaborate directly with planners, leverage our expertise, and deliver innovative solutions that significantly save time and costs. It’s a much more proactive approach that leads to better project outcomes.”

One project that benefitted greatly from the ECI programme was the Boherbue Wastewater Treatment Plant in Co Cork. Working in collaboration with Uisce Eireann and Cork County Council, Glanua undertook the comprehensive project to modernise and enhance the treatment plant’s capacity, addressing the overloaded and outdated infrastructure while ensuring compliance with regulatory standards and meeting the evolving needs of the community.

Key features of the upgraded facility include new inlet works, a stormwater tank, biological treatment processes and tertiary solids removal systems. Leveraging the ECI framework allowed for the integration of innovative solutions such as solar energy, natural sludge-drying reed beds, and the preservation of constructed wetlands for stormwater overflow. Karl Zimmerer comments: “This approach set a new standard for sustainable wastewater treatment and ensured long-term environmental benefits for Boherbue and its natural surroundings.”

GRADUATE PROGRAMME

A source of great pride for Karl Zimmerer is the comprehensive post-graduate programme that Glanua has developed. It gives participants critical experience in all aspects of projects from start to finish, setting them up to step into project management roles early in their careers.

He explains the genesis of the programme. “In 2007, one of the local universities in the west of Ireland had approximately 110 engineering graduates. When the crash came, every student was warned, ‘Whatever you do, don’t study construction or civil engineering in college’.”

He continues: “In 2014, that same university had seven engineering graduates. Another local college only had one. So, if I am looking for somebody with 10 or 12

years of experience in this country, they don’t exist. There is a massive deficit in capability and competency in the sector across all construction disciplines. We see our post-graduate programme as a crucial part of the future viability of our business and that of the wider construction industry.

“We give graduates the opportunity to get comprehensive practical experience. The programme covers the entire life cycle of projects from concept through to design, planning, process engineering, procurement, construction, commissioning and operations.

“Within the two-year programme, we ensure that all of our graduates, whatever discipline, are going to see the whole life cycle of projects. We also have business management and leadership modules and provide experience of working abroad.

“We are very proud of the programme and feel it gives graduates comprehensive and practical experience, which will fasttrack them to leadership roles within our company or the broader sector at the end of two years.”

RECRUITMENT

Glanua is also continuously looking for experienced people at all levels, both locally and abroad. Earlier this year, it brought in 34 highly skilled people from the Philippines, who have already had a significant impact in the business. The firm’s recruitment team is currently back in the Philippines, looking to bring another cohort of people into the group.

SUSTAINABILITY

Karl Zimmerer comments that sustainability is a significant challenge in water and wastewater management. Maintaining and upgrading water processing systems and networks to minimise water loss is a big part of Glanua’s operations. With the company’s ability to provide operational and maintenance

support to customers, every project is approached with a view to its entire operational lifecycle.

“One of the things we do well in Glanua is offer customers detailed options in terms of the scale of investment required across the lifetime of a plant or process system. “On recent schemes, we have priced solutions that meet current requirements while also anticipating future needs. We provide designs and costs for alternative solutions that align with net-zero and sustainability goals.

“By doing this, we aim to balance immediate needs with future demands. As I already said, we see ourselves as a resource custodian, whether that resource is water or wastewater.

“With wastewater, in an ideal world, a nature-based carbon-efficient solution with integrated reedbeds may be the right choice. However, these require vast amounts of land compared to alternative solutions.

“In the industrial sector, many companies are investing in recycling wastewater. We can manufacture and install wastewater plants that treat factory effluent to a high enough standard that it can be fully reused and recycled for other processes, achieving zero discharge and total water reuse within the facility.”

IN CONCLUSION

Karl Zimmerer highlights the exciting trajectory he sees for Glanua. “We have set ambitious targets, and I am confident in our ability to achieve them. Glanua offers our people unparalleled professional growth and development opportunities, providing them with the necessary resources and support. By strategically acquiring and investing in the coming years, we aim to expand our global reach and deliver our cutting-edge engineering solutions and unparalleled service to customers worldwide,” Karl Zimmerer concludes.

Glanua’s post-graduate programme includes support from leading business mentors. Pat MacDonagh, founder and owner of Supermacs, photographed with this year’s intake.

Pipelife launches a multi-million euro Training, Innovation & Development Programme

Following the completion of its Phase 1 investment of €13m, Cork-based Pipelife announces the next phase of its ongoing €35m Investment as it launches a multi-million euro Training, Innovation & Development Programme to fuel growth.

Pipelife, Ireland’s leading manufacturer and provider of plastic piping systems, has announced the launch of an ambitious 3-year Training, Innovation & Development Programme to support the future growth of the business.

“This is a €4m programme which represents the largest investment in people in the history of our business. Our industry, like others, is changing. We knew we needed to evolve to stay ahead, to continue to be competitive and to attract and retain the vital skills we need to continue to grow our business. This is all about investing in our people and will be transformational for Pipelife,” said Gerard Healy, Managing Director of Pipelife Ireland, based in Little Island.

The Training, Innovation & Development programme, which marks the largest investment in people in Pipelife’s history, is

supported by the Irish government through IDA Ireland.

Commenting on the announcement, Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Peter Burke TD, said: “Congratulations to Pipelife as they launch their multimillion-euro Training, Innovation & Development Programme. Training and development of staff is one of the best investments a company can make. This phase of development demonstrates Pipelife’s commitment to Ireland and its employees while also underscoring both the Irish Government and IDA Ireland’s priority for regional investment”.

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheál Martin TD said: “I am delighted to officially launch Pipelife’s Training, Innovation & Development Programme. The government is committed to investing in vital infrastructure and skills to ensure our economy continues

to grow. Similarly, this €4m programme demonstrates Pipelife’s commitment to not only strengthening and future-proofing its own business but also contributing to the broader growth of Ireland’s manufacturing and sustainability sectors. Initiatives like this are vital in ensuring our workforce is equipped for the future, and I commend Pipelife for its forward-thinking approach.

“I look forward to seeing the positive impact this Training, Innovation & Development Programme, as well as the newly-opened Eco Renewables Training Academy, will have.”

Pipelife Ireland Managing Director Gerard Healy continues: “IDA Ireland was hugely supportive of our plans from Day 1. We see this as a massive sign of confidence in what we do, how we do it, and our ambitions for the future. Similarly, our corporate parent, Wienerberger Group, is very excited about what we have planned

(L to r): Conor Manning, Operations Director, Pipelife; Tánaiste Micheál Martin; and Gerard Healy, Managing Director, Pipelife.

for this transformational upskilling of our people over the next 3 years”.

Pipelife partnered with 3SIXTY, the Cork-based management consultancy, to design and deliver a site-wide, multi-year Training, Innovation & Development Programme. Gerard Healy explains: “We knew we needed to do this, but finding the time to do it was always the challenge. 3SIXTY did all of the heavy lifting in terms of building the Training, Innovation & Development programme. We would not have done this if it wasn’t for 3SIXTY’s involvement”.

“Pipelife asked us to help design and deliver a site-wide Training, Innovation & Development Programme that would serve as a driver of growth for the business over the coming years,” said 3SIXTY Managing Partner Brian Cremin. “It was a huge thrill to kick off the delivery of the programme earlier this year. There is a great buzz across the business at seeing the programme now being rolled out. It’s a pleasure to be involved with Pipelife on this transformational initiative”.

The Programme includes a range of initiatives specifically tailored around Pipelife’s skills requirements. The programme will see Pipelife employees undertake training in a range of areas over the next three years, including Digitalisation, Leadership Development, Sustainability, Innovation, Operational Excellence, and Advanced Manufacturing techniques. Pipelife has also completed its

new state-of-the-art on-site Eco Renewables Training Academy. This will allow both trainee and fully qualified plumbers and other tradespeople, architects and specifiers to learn about the latest sustainability advancements in renewables in the sector in a structured learning environment. This cutting-edge development will see Pipelife developing deeper relationships across the industry and Education & Training Boards in what is a hugely exciting step for the company.

Lohan, CEO of IDA Ireland, said: “IDA Ireland is delighted to support Pipelife’s ambitious programme. This initiative showcases Pipelife’s commitment to advancing their workforce and integrating cutting-edge technologies. Investments like these are essential for keeping Ireland at the forefront of the manufacturing industry and promoting a culture of ongoing improvement and innovation. I wish them continued success.”

Michael

Tanaiste Micheál Martin with Conor Manning, Operations Director, Pipelife.

Pictured at the launch of Pipelife’s multi-million euro Training, Innovation & Development Programme: Front (L to r): Emer O’Brien, Pipelife; Brian Cremin, 3SIXTY; Gerard Healy, Managing Director, Pipelife; Tánaiste Micheál Martin; Conor Manning, Operations Director, Pipelife; and Ray O’Connor, Head of Regional and Enterprise Development, IDA; Back (L to r��: Gillian O’Leary, Pipelife ; Brian O’Brien, 3SIXTY; Faye Murphy, IDA ; Shane Nevin, Pipelife ; Patricia Conroy, Pipelife; Pádraig O’Sullivan TD; Padjoe Barry, Pipelife; John Murray, Pipelife, and Sharon Grant, IDA.

The Irish homebuilding sector faces the challenges of rising demand, reducing costs and nding greater e ciencies. Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) can prepare it to deal with labour shortages and material costs while accelerating the pace of constructing new homes.

Enterprise Ireland has a range of grant and advisory supports focusing on productivity, digitalisation and innovation, to help the Construction Industry continue to innovate to build new homes. Through MMC, we can achieve the aims of the Government’s Housing For All plan.

Get the support you need to build homes smarter, leaner and faster at: enterprise-ireland.com/builttoinnovate or speak to one of our specialist construction advisers.

BuiltToInnovate

An initiative of Enterprise Ireland under the Housing For All Plan.

Energiesprong – A street-by-street approach to deep retrofit

Upgrading social housing in Nottingham through Energiesprong deep retrofit. Transforming 63 occupied council properties into desirable, warm, affordable homes, tackling climate change and fuel poverty. Photos by Tracey Whitefoot

Energiesprong is a form of deep home retrofit that focuses on a house’s main components, such as wall and roof insulation, windows, air quality, and smart heat recovery. Previously, the options to enhance your home were to address all these issues at the same time or to create a plan to tackle each issue individually. With Energiesprong, all the problems can be tackled simultaneously, and the main goal is to increase the home’s energy efficiency and occupants’ comfort.

Energiesprong brings existing housing up to 2050 standards using an innovative, whole-life approach to finance. The cost of the works is designed to be equal to the expected savings in maintenance and energy over a 30-year period. It is outcomebased, offering guarantees for both landlord and tenant.

KEY INNOVATIONS OF NOTTINGHAM SOCIAL HOUSING UPGRADE

• Pioneered the Dutch Energiesprong approach in the UK.

• Retrofit is undertaken over 12 days

while people carry on living in their homes.

• The Contractor assures performance through monitoring after the project is complete.

• Advanced MMC factory established in Nottingham, creating local employment and training opportunities.

The scheme comprises 1960s nontraditional concrete cross-wall homes, including terraces of three-storey houses, low-rise flats, and bungalows in Sneinton on the edge of the city centre. While the homes are well located and had an established community, they were cold and draughty with an inefficient design, particularly the houses with an unheated garage under the living room and an undercroft below the kitchen.

The solution was a tenant-focused, highly efficient whole house retrofit delivering super insulated, low maintenance near ‘net zero operational energy’ homes. The retrofit has also transformed the neighbourhoods with brighter finishes and increased passive surveillance from converted garages and

first-floor Juliet balconies to some houses.

The design team, led by Studio Partington, involved residents in developing the design brief during the competitive dialogue tender process. The community came together to establish a ‘wish list’ and choose the colour of their own window surrounds. The Contractor was able to include small items which make a big difference to residents’ lives, such as light tubes making stairs brighter, outside taps for watering, and doorbells.

Nick Murphy, Chief Executive, Nottingham City Homes, commented: “While we’re delighted to be part of a UKfirst pilot programme, it’s more important to us that we’re creating warmer, more energy efficient homes, which are cheaper to run for residents. As an added bonus, the improvements will greatly enhance the look and feel of the area.”

DELIVERED BENEFITS

• Fabric first: full external insulation, double glazing, improved air tightness, reduced thermal bridging.

• Energy supplied efficiently using heat

pumps (gas removed) and solar panels to minimise grid-imported electricity, getting down to around 1,500kWh/year (per home).

• Measured performance shows average space heating consumption of 58 kWh/ m2/yr (within 2% of target value).

• Measured solar PV production is, on average, 35 kWh/m2/yr (per home).

• All surveyed tenants said they were comfortable or very comfortable in their retrofitted homes (October 2021).

• Social value up to £4,500 a year per home (HACT).

• Total embodied carbon was calculated as 26t CO2e compared with circa 120t CO2e for demolition and rebuild.

SUSTAINABILITY

2050 Homes Nottingham pioneered the Dutch Energiesprong revolutionary standard and funding approach for whole house retrofit. The initial 10-home pilot project was the first in the UK to pilot netzero Energiesprong retrofits.

The Solution Provider, Melius Homes, and the Architect, Studio Partington, were procured to deliver the Energiesprong performance outcome, including 1500kwh net import, a maximum cost and guaranteed comfort for tenants. The innovative competitive dialogue tender process evaluated whole life cost and design quality and included tenant representatives in decision making.

• External walls: Prefabricated timber frame panels, complete with 200mm of mineral wool insulation, windows, and a durable board finish, installed on insulated foundations.

• Roof: Refurbished existing roofs/ new cassette roofs (Phase 1 only) with inroof solar.

• Windows: Double-glazed high performance.

• Heating power: Communal energy system in pilot with GSHP. GSHP with individual heat pumps in Phase 1. Phase 2 has individual air source heat pumps.

• Secondary heating: Electric immersion in cylinder.

• Hot water storage: Some have cylinders, and some have thermal stores.

• Space heating: Wet system retained, room thermostat and TRV radiators.

• Ventilation: Aereco demand-controlled ventilation.

• Monitoring: Core Controls monitoring of communal energy centre. Billing and metering carried out by Emergent. Carnego system used for individual heating systems.

NEAR NET-ZERO HOMES

The Energiesprong standard focuses on creating desirable, warm, affordable, nearnet-zero homes in which people want to live. There are two important innovations. Firstly, people carry on living in their homes during the retrofit.

Secondly, it is an assured performance scheme. The Solution Provider (the Contractor) signs a contract to meet the energy and comfort targets. The only way this can be achieved is by monitoring every home after completing the project.

The Energiesprong approach is designed to unlock zero carbon retrofit at scale, paid for by energy and maintenance savings and delivered by a new British offsite manufacturing industry.

SUSTAINABLE CONSTRUCTION

SUPPLY CHAIN INNOVATION:

The pilot tested different façade panel suppliers and found a supply chain shortage (panels were not full width and did not include windows). This resulted in Melius Homes establishing their own advanced MMC Category 2 factory in Nottingham for Phases 1 and 2, creating local employment and training opportunities.

ENERGY MEASURES:

For the pilot (seven terraced homes, 2.5- to

three-storeys high, and three bungalows), two ground-source heat pumps (GSHPs), a battery and two thermal stores were installed at the end of the terrace in a 20ft shipping container, linked to the homes by a distribution system.

One GSHP produces water at 55°C and 60°C for domestic hot water, and the other is optimised for 35-40°C. The extra insulation (prefabricated panels, with 200mm of insulation, were installed on the front and rear elevations of each home, on insulated foundations) meant the heating requirements fell considerably, and Melius could use the existing radiators with water temperatures at circa 40°C.

LESSONS LEARNED

As the project has developed lessons have been learned and different M&E systems trialled. Although the full communal energy system (with private wire electricity and communal heating) is helpful to offset diversity by balancing energy use and energy storage across a group of homes. It proved costly and difficult to retrofit the energy centre and distribution system in an urban setting.

Later phases have tested different M&E approaches, moving towards self-contained individual air source heat pumps with battery storage for each home.

WHOLE-LIFE CARBON ASSESSMENT

A life cycle assessment has been completed to calculate the embodied emissions associated with the works undertaken, compared with the emissions associated with demolition and rebuilding. The total embodied carbon was calculated as 26t CO2e compared with circa 120t CO2e for demo and rebuild. The highest embodied carbon element of the works was the supply of solar PV panels, which accounted for 20t CO2e, ie 77%.

While they were well located and had a great community, before the retrofit, these concrete cross-wall council properties were freezing cold, and tenants said external

PROJECT PARTNERS:

Housing provider: Nottingham City Council

Solution provider (Contractor): Melius

Homes

Architect: Studio Partington

Advisor: Energiesprong UK

SUMMARY OF OPERATIONAL ENERGY MONITORED DATA

• Measured solar PV production is, on average, 35 kWh/m2/yr (per property).

• Measured performance on average across a range of bungalows, houses, and flats showed space heating consumption of 58 kWh/m2/yr (within 2% of the target value) despite internal temperatures being 15% higher than designed (20.5°C average versus 17.9°C).

• The measured Heat Transfer Coefficients (HTC) of the retrofitted properties are, on average, 9% better than design targets (89 W/K measured). Note that HTC is a better measure of thermal performance because it is not dependent on internal temperatures.

• Measured hot water energy consumption is, on average, 34 kWh/m2/yr (46% lower than the design target) based on an allowance of 140 l/day at 45°C.

• Unregulated (tenant) electricity consumption is, on average, 45 kWh/m2/yr (5% higher than the design target) based on an allowance for 2,300 kWh/yr tenant electricity consumption.

walls felt as though they moved when they leaned on them.

For social tenants, the high energy costs to adequately heat their poorly insulated homes made them hard to heat. Some residents did not turn on their heating, while others limited it to the living room.

The Client, Nottingham City Homes (NCH), earmarked the properties for improvement as they were inefficient, with non-traditional post-war construction, and were a repeated archetype across the city. NCH had the option of demolishing and rebuilding them for £120,000 per house or finding a way of refurbishing them at a reasonable cost. This is where the Energiesprong revolutionary standard and funding approach for whole house retrofit came in.

THE ‘ENERGIESPRONG’ ENERGY LEAP

Based on Energiesprong (meaning ‘energy leap’) principles, the business case brings forward energy and maintenance savings for the next 30 years to create an investment envelope. This finance is used to create a near-net zero home, which is attractive, comfortable, and affordable for residents.

Design performance modelling (to meet the detailed Energiesprong performance specification) and monitoring (of energy use, temperature, and relative humidity) in every retrofitted home ensures tenants pay no more than before for a comfortable home.

A deep retrofit, extending the dwellings’ lives by 60 years, avoids considerable construction waste and embodied carbon. The total embodied carbon associated with the retrofit works undertaken was calculated as 26t CO2e compared with circa 120t CO2e for demolition and rebuild.

People carry on living in their homes during the works, which typically takes 12

days. Demolishing and rebuilding would have increased the project cost and broken up the community, necessitating them to move apart. Measurement by HACT UK social value bank shows social value of up to £4,500 a year per retrofitted home.

One of the innovations that underpins the model is that the Solution Provider signs a performance guarantee, ensuring that the in-use energy use and generation are in line with the approved design. Therefore, the design of solutions and selection of components were considered in detail within the energy modelling, including factors to account for the actual performance expected rather than manufacturers’ stated performances. Additionally, the fabrication and construction details were carefully developed to ensure site works could be completed without compromising the intended airtightness and thermal continuity.

The intent and the outcome were to eliminate the ‘Performance Gap’. Metering and monitoring were included as part of the solution to enable actual performance to be measured and monitored.

A COMMUNITY TRANSFORMED

The retrofit has transformed the neighbourhood with light finishes, new on-street entrances and passive surveillance from Juliet balconies to some houses (righting some wrongs of the original layout). Bright colours around windows, chosen by the residents, give each terrace its own identity and deliberately make a citywide statement that the area has changed and is embracing renewal, energy efficiency and healthy living.

Case study courtesy of Energiesprong UK Ltd, https://www.energiesprong.uk/

Joseph Kilroy, Policy & Public Affairs Manager, CIOB Ireland,

The next government incentivise building restoration over demolition

JOSEPH KILROY, Policy & Public Affairs Manager, CIOB Ireland, writes that the next government needs to prioritise green skills with a comprehensive skills and resourcing plan to accompany any housing, planning, and infrastructure strategies.

The data is clear: The construction sector in Ireland has a central role in the green transition. The built environment accounts for 37% of Ireland’s carbon emissions. Operational carbon, which includes the heating, cooling and lighting of buildings, accounts for 23% of national emissions, with the remaining 14% attributable to embodied carbon. Embodied carbon emissions result from mining, quarrying, transporting, and manufacturing building materials, in addition to construction activities, the repair, renovation and demolition of buildings.

Embodied carbon emissions in the built environment sector are rising and require a firm policy response. Residential operational carbon is proportionally the sector’s highest emitter. It accounts for 43% of built environment emissions and 16% of national emissions, with the increasing number of home-based workers likely to further inflate these figures in future. Both embodied and operational emissions must, therefore, be a priority area of national climate policy for the next Government if Ireland is to meet its net zero by 2050 target.

Making such a significant contribution to national emissions brings a responsibility to lead on the green transition, and the construction sector is beginning to embrace this responsibility. Carbon accounting on building projects, the Nearly zero energy building (NZEB) standard, and an expanding national retrofit programme - over 17,600 BER B2 upgrades completed in 2023, up 108% year on year- all signal the sector’s intent to overhaul work practices in the name of sustainability.

These initiatives mean that jobs in the sector are changing dramatically compared to traditional conceptions of construction work. With sustainability now a central tenet of the sector, the

workforce is changing to reflect this.

INTEGRATING POLICIES

The Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) has repeatedly made the point that policy strategies - housing, planning, infrastructure - must be accompanied by a skills and resourcing plan if they are to be effective. We are sceptical about the efficacy of setting national targets in areas such as housing and infrastructure without addressing the labour challenges facing the construction sector. Climate action and green skills are no different.

For overarching climate strategies to be effective, they must be published alongside a resourcing plan that clarifies the requisite skills, and provides the finance needed to embed these skills in the sector over the long term. This requires a coordinated, long-term strategy and accompanying resourcing plan. Isolated regulations and market incentives alone will not be enough to address the scale of the challenge.

On a global level, the CIOB’s presence at COP29 in Azerbaijan was kicked off by our signing up to the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment’s #GreenSkillsAtCop campaign. The campaign calls for green skills to be integrated into national action plans for biodiversity and climate change. Closer to home, our Manifesto for the 2024 Irish General Election forcibly makes the point that the next government must accompany all new policy strategies with clear skills and resourcing plans.

In terms of climate, Ireland has done well on this skills integration point. Indeed, one of the four central principles of The Climate Action Plan 2024 is ‘People are equipped with the right skills to be able to participate in and benefit from the future net zero economy’.

“Demolition is one of the most carbon-hungry activities in the economy, and Ireland has a real issue with embodied carbon in the built environment.”

The Plan also references SOLAS’s Green Skills for Further Education and Training Roadmap 2021-2030 and The Expert Group on Future Skills Needs report, Skills for Zero Carbon – The Demand for Renewable Energy, Residential Retrofit and Electric Vehicle Deployment Skills to 2030.

Furthermore, in October, Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science Patrick O’Donovan TD launched Green Skills 2030, the first National Further Education and Training (FET) Strategy for the Green Transition. The strategy marks an important milestone in setting out the direction for the Irish FET sector’s response to emerging green skills needs. Green Skills 2030 identifies key skills gaps impacting Ireland’s ability to transition to a climate-neutral society across critical sectors such as construction, agriculture, transport, energy, hospitality, and finance.

While Ireland has done well in terms of integrating skills and climate policy, there are still aspects of policy that act antagonistically to sectoral sustainability and climate legislation in general. Most notably, under Ireland’s current tax structure, a reduced rate of 13.5% VAT is applied to demolition projects, creating a perverse environment where the embodied-carbon-hungry activities of demolition and replacement enjoy financial parity with the sustainable repair and restoration of Ireland’s built environment. This contradicts the principles outlined in the Circular Economy and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2022, the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021, and the EU Taxonomy Regulation 2020 - an EU-wide classification system for sustainable activities.

INCENTIVISE REPAIR AND RESTORATION

To remedy this, the CIOB is proposing the next government use the tax system to incentivise repair and restoration over the demolition

of buildings, thereby reducing the embodied carbon footprint of Ireland’s built environment. Specifically, we are calling for demolition to be charged at the standard rate of 23% VAT, while repair and renovation activities remain at least the reduced rate of 13.5% or reduced to 0% VAT. International evidence indicates that the additional revenue raised from creating a charge on demolition can be productively invested in the green skills transition.

Nevertheless, VAT change may be a longer-term goal, given its political sensitivity. In the short term, the CIOB would like to see the use of skills strategies, such as those mentioned above, to embed predemolition audits into construction practice. One way of achieving this would be to make pre-demolition auditor roles a central pillar of green skills strategies

While the EPA mentions the importance of pre-demolition audits in their 2021 best practice guidelines on the preparation of resource & waste management plans for construction and demolition projects publication, the amount of construction demolition waste continues to grow at an alarming rate: construction and demolition waste rose to 9 million tonnes in 2021 from 3 million tonnes in 2014. The reality is that the majority of new building projects in Ireland operate with a presumption in favour of demolition. Many projects simply do not have an individual or team whose role is dedicated to articulating the environmental implications of demolition.

Demolition is one of the most carbon-hungry activities in the economy, and Ireland has a real issue with embodied carbon in the built environment. If the workforce were equipped with conscientious pre-demolition auditors, akin to health and safety professionals, this could be a way to disrupt the presumption in favour of demolition. These auditors could encourage a conversation in the construction process as to whether the maintenance of an existing structure is the more sustainable option despite demolition being the easier path.

IN CONCLUSION

Overall, Ireland has taken significant policy steps to equip the construction sector with the skills needed to facilitate its green transition. This is appropriate given the scale of emissions from the sector. The ageing profile of the construction workforce means new entrants are needed. Young people identify with the climate emergency more than older generations and higher and further education programmes can appeal to this younger cohort by emphasising the construction sector’s role in addressing carbon emissions.

The built environment is a significant contributor to Ireland’s carbon emissions. This provides an opportunity to ensure that future entrants to the workforce are cognisant of embodied and operational emissions and of the role they can play in delivering the wider societal benefit of reduced sectoral emissions.

We take immense pride in our 66-year heritage in Ireland and the significant contribution we’ve made to the country’s built environment. And we are committed to building on this unique legacy for the long term.

From renowned product quality and ease of installation to trusted technical support, there’s a reason professionals reach for Wavin drainage, plumbing and water management solutions.

Now, with plans to create a state-of-the-art distribution hub and training academy, whilst continuing with product innovations and our good works in the community, we’re building even better partnerships and, together, an even better Ireland.

wavin.ie

Future Forward – Wavin Ireland Looks Ahead to 2025

Wavin Ireland is a leading supplier of plastic below-ground drainage, soil and waste, plumbing & heating systems and stormwater management solutions.

Wavin Ireland is committed to providing comprehensive solutions across every element of water management. As Wavin Ireland looks ahead to 2025, Sales Director Declan Conlon gives his insight into what’s to come.

Wavin has been a key part of the fabric of Irish life for over 65 years. The company was instrumental in bringing clean drinking water to rural Ireland in the late 1950s. Today, Wavin is the market leader in Below Ground drainage and will continue to lead through innovation, quality products and reliable service.

As announced earlier this year, production will move to the UK in 2025. The current distribution and logistics structures in Balbriggan will be retained during the transition to ensure there is no impact on our customers. You’ll see the same faces in our business - the same sales team and the same customer service team who are there to ensure continuity of service and availability of product.

CONTINUED INVESTMENT IN IRELAND

As part of Wavin’s commitment to the Irish market, plans are in place for a new stateof-the-art Distribution Centre in Ireland which will see a streamlined service for our customers throughout the country. We also look forward to launching a new Training Academy, which will allow us to showcase

and demonstrate our award-winning product range, host CPDs and continue to provide the technical expertise for which our team are renowned.

TECHNICAL EXPERTISE

The team at Wavin Ireland is well known for their technical expertise. Likewise, our connected systems across soil & waste and plumbing solutions allow specifiers and installers to build projects with confidence. We have a range of BIM Revit solutions which will unlock time and cost savings and deliver efficiencies at every stage of a project.

Our expert technical team are available to provide advice and guidance to customers

with experience across building services engineering, plumbing, civil engineering and more. This in-house expertise has proven invaluable for customers, and we are proud to continue providing this service.

NEW PRODUCTS ON STREAM

As the need to become smarter in terms of how we catch and collect the vast amounts of valuable rain and stormwater created each year, particularly in Ireland’s urban environments, Wavin’s attenuation and infiltration products have long offered innovative solutions to planners and engineers. The introduction of Wavin AquaCell Next Generation (NG) in 2025, manufactured from 100% recycled and recyclable plastic, allows for even faster installation, leading to greater cost savings, easier logistics on site and reduced manual handling. AquaCell NG is the future of sustainable drainage.

FORWARD THINKING

The European Commission has reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding water quality by updating the 1998 Drinking Water Directive (DWD) and introducing a related EU Positive List. At Wavin, we support the EU’s vision. We are committed to helping to deliver the highest standard of drinking water, have taken a proactive approach to the DWD changes and are already transitioning to 100% lead-free brass fittings and fixtures across a range of markets. This includes the award-winning brass-bodied Tigris M5 Press-fit plumbing system (range also available with PPSU body - K5 Press-fit plumbing system).

SUSTAINABILITY

With sustainable solutions, ranging from Tree Tanks, Rootseal and Recycore Technology and the offering of EPDs, advancing life for the better and building healthy sustainable environments remains Wavin’s key purpose. We strive to be an industry leader in sustainability.

SUPPORTING THE COMMUNITY

Wavin Ireland continues to support the communities in which we operate. Whether supporting local initiatives like our team member’s charities, providing product and expertise to community projects or indeed contributing to Ireland’s bio-diversity and nature-led experiences with the continued support of the Guaranteed Irish Forest, we remain committed to being as much a part of Ireland as we have been since our beginnings.

Declan Conlon, Sales Director, Wavin Ireland.

Vision Contracting rounds off another successful year with a win at this year’s NISO Awards

Health and safety are crucial in construction. The annual NISO/NISG Awards recognise Irish companies’ commitments to high safety standards, reassuring clients, workers, and the public.

For Vision Contracting, receiving the Higher Distinction and Consistent Achiever Awards at the NISO Awards 2024 was a sign that the company has solidified its position as a leading construction company in Ireland. This is Vision Contracting’s seventh year to enter the awards, showing that it has maintained consistently high standards during that time.

Glen Cowley, Environmental Health & Safety Manager, Vision Contracting, commented: “We are delighted to be acknowledged with a Higher Distinction Award and the NISO Consistent Achiever Award at this year’s NISO/NISG Annual Occupational Health & Safety Awards. It is a testament to our staff’s ongoing commitment, showing that safety, health and welfare are integral to our operations.”

Niall O’Meara, Managing Director, Vision Contracting, emphasised the significance of these awards and added: “These NISO awards recognise the hard work put in by our people daily. The awards are also very important to our ongoing business development efforts as we continue to grow the company activities across all sectors.”

Operating from a head office in Cork with offices in Dublin, Limerick and Kerry, Vision Contracting has grown into one of Ireland’s leading contractors. In fact, the company is on target for a turnover of €135m in 2024 and has €150m in secured projects for 2025.

A critical factor in Vision’s success has been its unwavering focus on continuous improvement, particularly in safety management systems and workplace culture. The company has been a pioneer in adopting innovative safety technology, such as the HammerTech digital safety platform across its operations.

In 2024, Vision Contracting was also recognised as ‘A Great Place to Work’ in the Great Place to Work Ireland programme. Glen Cowley said that the directors and management at Vision Contracting are committed to creating a positive working environment for all employees, and the Great Place to Work

accreditation reflects well on all of the company’s achievements in this area to date.

“We want to ensure that Vision Contracting is a place where everyone thrives, and we are focused on developing and maintaining a high-performing working environment and positive company culture to support all of our employees,” he explained.

In addition to its safety achievements, Vision Contracting has excelled in project delivery, building The Lark Theatre in Balbriggan, which won the RIAI Public Choice Award 2024. The Lark Theatre is a 400-seat cultural venue meticulously designed, engineered, and built to enhance audience experience and provide artists with a versatile space adaptable to their performance needs.

It comprises a state-of-the-art four-storey auditorium with the highest acoustic and lighting standards, a front-of-house foyer and bar, a live-streaming room, rehearsal rooms, conference rooms, classrooms, and universally accessible facilities. It is inserted into an existing campus that contains a Georgian guesthouse, café, restaurant, and sensory garden.

The Lark is the crown jewel of the Irish Institute of Music and Song’s campus, serving students and visitors globally, hosting concerts, recitals, theatre, cinema and comedy shows.

This Vision Contracting turnkey development exemplifies the company’s commitment to collaboration between the client, architect, engineers and contractor.

Vision Contracting has also been awarded several Irish Construction Excellence (ICE) awards in the past three years. At this year’s ICE Awards, Vision Contracting won the ‘Leisure Tourism Project – Over €5M’ category for The Premier Inn, Gloucester Street, Dublin, having previously won the ICE Public Realm Award for Mallow Castle House, Spa House Demesne and Tip O’Neill Park in 2023, and the ICE Fit-Out Award for the Fexco Innovation Centre and RDI Hub in Killorglin, Co Kerry, in 2022.

The Vision Contracting team receive their awards at the NISO/NISG Awards 2024. (L to r) : Conor O’Brien, CEO, HSA; Glen Cowley, EHS Manager, Vision Contracting; Fergal McKevitt, President, NISO; Alan Deane, Head of Quality, BC(A)R & Sustainability, Vision Contracting; Wendy Beatty, Chair, NISG; and Niamh Bonner, EHS Advisor, Vision Contracting.

The financial upside of a safety-first site at Tritech Engineering

Safety is often framed as a moral obligation in construction, but it’s equally a business imperative. Investing in safety doesn’t just protect lives; it drives profitability and operational efficiency.

On a safety-conscious site, zero accidents mean zero delays, fewer shutdowns, and preserved budgets. In short, a robust safety culture isn’t a cost centre; it’s a profit centre.

Take Tritech Engineering’s approach to embedding safety into every level of operations. It’s not just a policy on paper; it’s a daily practice for everyone from apprentices to senior management. Consistent recognition from the National Irish Safety Organisation (NISO) and certifications like ISO 45001:2018 attest to this commitment, but the real impact is seen in Tritech’s productivity, reputation, and bottom line.

SAFE SITES MEAN SIGNIFICANT SAVINGS

The benefits of this safety-first approach are tangible and far-reaching. By minimising accidents, Tritech reduces downtime and keeps projects on track, avoiding costly delays and penalties. Fewer incidents also lead to lower insurance premiums and workers’ compensation costs, which can be a significant financial boost over time.

On a well-run site, consistent safety practices reduce equipment damage and maintenance costs and stretch budgets further.

Tritech Health & Safety Manager

Shareleen Jansen van Vuuren says it is all about doing the right thing instead of just ticking boxes when it comes to health and safety onsite. She says: “The ripple effects extend to the workforce. Employees on safe sites are more productive, motivated, and loyal, reducing turnover and training costs.”

Finally, a strong safety track record strengthens Tritech’s reputation, helping it win bids and retain clients.

MANAGING CRITICAL RISKS

Recent focused site visits were conducted during the CIF Safety Week 2024 campaign, led by Shareleen Jansen Van Vuuren and Tritech’s Head of Compliance, Paul Cassin. The emphasis on critical risks like electrical safety and fire prevention during hot works was more than a compliance check. This targeted approach equips team members to anticipate and prevent incidents, embodying Tritech’s ‘Safety First - Our Culture’ ethos.

A well-executed safety culture isn’t just a moral win, it’s a financial strategy that optimises every aspect of the business.

To promote Tritech’s safety culture during CIF Safety Week 2024, the company offered a variety of training courses to educate employees on the true meaning of safety and how to deal with critical risks such as working at height, driving and working with hazardous substances, and electrical safety. It also launched pledge boards to encourage everyone to stay focused on health and safety.

TRITECH’S GUIDING PRINCIPLES

Everything Tritech does, particularly when it comes to Environmental Health & Safety, is built on the Five P’s: ‘People’, ‘Process’, ‘Performance’, ‘Partnering’, and ‘Prevention’.

1. People: Maintaining good relationships with all staff and members of the design and construction teams improves communication. Welcoming inputs from

different skill sets and perspectives also gives the ability to look at risks from every angle and deal with them in fresh, innovative ways.

2. Process: Building information modelling (BIM) is a process that uses technology to manage all of the information in the architecture, engineering, and construction of a building. The 3D model this information produces helps to identify any potential design flaws or hazards to workers before even getting to the site.

3. Performance: Tritech regularly audits and certifies its safety standards through several independent third parties, including CIF and Registered Gas Installers (RGIs). It is also a member of NISO, where its EHS achievements have been rewarded frequently over the past number of years.

4. Partnering: By engaging and working only with reputable, hand-picked suppliers and collaborators who source nothing but the highest quality equipment and components, Tritech works in a way that is ethical, fair, transparent and above all, safe and sustainable.

5. Prevention: Tritech teams take a preventative approach to the engineering, management, and regulation of building services by using design and decision-making processes that prevent or minimise any incident or accident.

To learn more about Tritech’s Health & Safety practices, visit www.tritech.ie/health-safety

Shareleen Jansen van Vuuren, Health & Safety Manager, Tritech Engineering.

Learning opportunities Digital Academy for the Sustainable Built Environment

The Digital Academy for the Sustainable Built Environment is providing blended education in critical areas needed to upskill the construction sector.

Courses and micro-credentials available through the Digital Academy for the Sustainable Built Environment (DASBE) are focussed on three essential themes - Energy Efficiency, the Circular Economy, and Digital Construction Skills for Sustainable Building - DASBE aims to upskill construction professionals to meet the sector’s evolving demands.

DASBE is a five-year project (2020-2025) funded by the government’s Human Capital Initiative Pillar 3. It is a partnership between Atlantic Technological University (ATU) and the Technological University of the Shannon (TUS), along with enterprise partners the Irish Green Building Council (IGBC) and Tipperary Energy Agency (TEA).

MEETING CRITICAL SKILLS SHORTAGES

Recently published figures by the Build Up Skills 2030 Initiative outline that the construction sector would require up to 120,000 additional skilled construction workers and building professionals, as well as the re-skilling of 164,000 people already working in the industry, by 2030, to meet Ireland’s housing and climate targets.

SUPPORTING ACCESSIBLE LEARNING PATHWAYS

DASBE is supporting programmes in ATU and TUS, ranging from Level 6 to Level 9, with funding of between 33% and 50% available. Most DASBE-funded programmes are delivered in a blended or fully online format, tailored to support working professionals in an ever-evolving industry. A

unique aspect of some DASBE programmes is that they offer learners the opportunity to stack their qualifications. This is where a learner can complete a certificate and then progress to a diploma or a master’s at their own pace.

Seamus Hoyne, Dean of Flexible and Workplace Learning at the Technological University of the Shannon (TUS), says: “Over the past three years, DASBE has launched more than 40 innovative academic programmes, each designed to address the evolving needs of the built environment sector in the topics of energy efficiency, digitisation and circular economy. Through extensive engagement with industry partners and the integration of technologies such as virtual and augmented reality, drones, and Building Information Modelling (BIM), we are equipping students with the skills they need to thrive in a rapidly changing industry. The impact of DASBE has been substantial, but so too are the challenges ahead, as recent reports from the Irish Fiscal Advisory Council confirm skills and labour shortages. Continued collaboration and innovation will be key to meeting the growing demand for skills in the built environment.”

EXPANDING OPPORTUNITIES WITH MICRO-CREDENTIALS

Under the DASBE banner, additional funding has been announced for microcredentials aimed at the construction sector. Micro-credentials are short, accredited courses that offer a flexible and accessible upskilling option. 80% of funding is

ATU MICRO CREDENTIALS FROM JANUARY 2025

Access and Use (Part M, B, K, DAC, Universal Design)

Building Information Modelling (BIM) For Sustainability

Circular Economy Principles for the Built Environment

Domestic Heat Pumps I: Installation and Commissioning

Domestic Heat Pumps II: Maintenance and Service

Fire Safety (Part B Buildings Other Than Dwelling Houses, and FSC)

Services (Part E, F, G, H, J and D)

Visual Programming for Digital Construction

TUS MICRO CREDENTIALS FROM JANUARY 2025

Building Information Modelling (BIM) with Revit MEP

Decarbonising Solutions for the Built Environment

Common Data Environment Data

Analytics

Decarbonisation Analysis and Solutions

Decarbonisation Strategies and Options

Fundamentals in Green Procurement in Construction

Green Procurement Digital Tools in Construction

ICMS and BIM (for Quantity Surveyors)

ICMS and Whole Life Carbon

Python for Construction Professionals

available for eligible learners.

DASBE is funded by the Higher Education Authority’s HCI Pillar 3, a government programme designed to meet priority skills needs by increasing collaboration between higher education and enterprise with a focus on innovations in teaching and learning.

To learn more about courses and microcredentials available through DASBE, visit www.dasbe.ie or scan the QR code

DASBE Students at a Traditional Buildings workshop.

BIM Mandate Conference 2024

The Build Digital BIM Mandate Conference 2024, which took place recently in Cork, addressed key sector issues and impacts arising from the introduction of the BIM mandate.

Build Digital recently partnered with the National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI) to present the BIM Mandate Conference 2024. The one-day event is part of a broader strategy to support public sector clients in adopting the new Building Information Modelling (BIM) mandate, which came into effect at the beginning of 2024 under the Capital Works Management Framework (CWMF).

The conference, which took place in the Radisson Blu Hotel & Spa in Cork, marked the third annual conference for the Build Digital Project. Approximately 150 construction professionals and industry leaders gathered to network, hear from expert speakers and participate in workshops designed to enhance understanding of the Irish BIM mandate.

In her opening speech, the Director of Build Digital, Dr Clare Eriksson, said: “Build Digital is essentially a transformation project designed to signpost the answers to the ‘why?’ and the ‘how?’ of driving integrated interoperable digital transformation and adoption across the industry. We aim to innovatively improve efficiency, improve productivity and improve international competitiveness on a sustainable basis in Ireland.”

Attendees at the conference benefited from panel discussions, Q&A sessions and individual presentations throughout the morning of the conference.

Chaired by Shane Dempsey, Secretary General, ACEI, speakers included Dr Clare Eriksson, Director Build Digital; Brian

O’Loughlin, NSAI; Joe Mady, DCT Group; Robert Moore, Build Digital Project Lead; Alen O’Farrell, Department of Education; Daniel Crowley, Cork City Council; Dean Murphy, Clúid Housing; Joanne Treacy, CIF; PJ Rudden, Dept of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform; and Charles Mitchell, the Office of Government Procurement (OGP).

The sessions explored the digitalisation journey, CWMF and BIM requirements.

Build Digital Project Lead Robert Moore presented the two plans currently available

on the Exchange Hub, the organisation and appointed party information management plans; they include templates for clients to prepare tenders compliant with the BIM mandate. Alen O’Farrell, from the Department of Education, followed Robert Moore and presented his experience in implementing BIM within the department and using the appointed party information management plan in current projects.

Robert Moore also presented the new plan, the Delivery Team Information Management Plan, which will be released in

The Build Digital team (L tor): Rahat Ullah, MTU; Katie Markham, Communications Manager, Build Digital; Sean Carroll, MTU; Mairead Slater, Administration Manager, Build Digital; Ted McKenna, MTU; Mary Ryan, Operations Lead, Build Digital; Elias Thompson, Accounts Manager, Build Digital, Conor Shaw, UCD; Jimmy Fahy, ATU; Adhban Farea, MTU; Dr Clare Eriksson, Director, Build Digital; Hamza Tariq, UCD; Robert Moore, Project lead, Build Digital; Robin Stubbs, SETU; Dr Fatemeh Hamid, TU Dublin; Dr Barry McAuley, TU Dublin; Dr Joe Harrington, MTU; and Dr Ken Thomas, SETU.

Dr Clare Eriksson, Director, Build Digital, addresses the Build Digital and NSAI CWMF BIM Mandate Conference 2024.

the Exchange Hub before the end of 2024. It will include templates for tenderers to create a tender response compliant with the Irish BIM mandate.

Panel discussions were conducted surrounding NSAI initiatives and the opportunities and challenges of implementing the BIM mandate for different cohorts of public clients.

Build Digital’s outputs were outlined by Jimmy Fahy, ATU; Dr Ken Thomas, SETU; Ted McKenna, MTU; and Dr Joe Harrington, MTU. A regional-specific panel discussion chaired by Joanne Treacy, CIF, Cork, addressed the opportunities and challenges of implementing the BIM mandate for different cohorts of public clients, including national infrastructure, local infrastructure, and housing. The panel consisted of representatives from each cohort, including Alen O’Farrell, Department of Education; Daniel Crowley, Cork City Council; and Dean Murphy, Clúid

Housing.

In the afternoon session, attendees participated in industry-specific workshops led by Mary Ryan, Build Digital Operations Lead. Key topics included the impact of the BIM mandate on local councils, the demand for upskilling within teams and the mandate’s importance.

The conference proved to be an excellent opportunity for industry networking between attendees and speakers.

ABOUT BUILD DIGITAL

Build Digital is a government-funded initiative dedicated to supporting the progression of digital adoption in Ireland’s construction and built environment sector. Build Digital is committed to supporting organisations in their digital transformation journey and signposting the construction and built environment sectors in driving digital adoption.

Joanne Treacy, CIF, takes to the stage to lead a panel discussion at the Build Digital and NSAI CWMF BIM Mandate Conference 2024.

BUILD DIGITAL CALLS ON CONSTRUCTION PROFESSIONALS TO HAVE THEIR SAY

Build Digital announced the launch of its National Annual Survey 2024 at the CWMF BIM Mandate Conference, in which it called on members of the construction and built environment sectors to participate in the survey and voice their opinions on digital transformation and the requirements for the construction and built environment sectors in Ireland.

Build Digital aims to understand the industry’s response to the BIM mandate and digitalisation. The goals of the survey include developing an understanding of the digital tools and workflows in use, the impact of digitalisation on sustainability, public sector and private sector approaches, market perception and areas in need of support.

Professionals from all aspects of the industry are invited to participate in the survey. Every opinion matters. If you have experienced the impact of digitalisation in the last year,

KEY FINDINGS FROM BUILD DIGITAL SURVEY 2023

As Build Digital’s 2024 survey gathers participants’ insights, we have taken the opportunity to look over the 2023 results. The survey aimed to track the progression of the industry’s digital journey and gauge the commitment to digital transformation throughout the industry.

The submissions and feedback created a comprehensive picture of the rate of digital transformation in the construction and built environment sectors.

Participants in the 2023 survey included members of industry (42%), academia (35%) and government (23%). Education and training were highlighted as continual necessities for future digital adoption, with the majority of participants noting that their organisations and workplaces offer training opportunities in digital tools for their employees. This demonstrates the industry-wide commitment to digitalisation.

The level of ongoing digital transformation across the sector was positive, as 85.3% of respondents stated that their organisations had already started their digital transformation journeys. 64.2% of respondents also noted that the leaders in their organisations had personal involvement within these digital transformation journeys.

2024: DIGITALISATION IN CONSTRUCTION

2024 has proven to be a transformative year for digitalisation within the Irish construction sector. In January, a Building Information Modelling (BIM) mandate by the Irish government came into effect, which dictated that BIM requirements would apply to all public works projects over €100m. The requirements of the BIM mandate have resulted in a surge in interest and investment in digitalisation within the construction and built environment sectors.

To support the construction and built environment sectors, Build Digital announced the creation of the

Exchange

Hub, a digital bank of resources aimed at signposting digitalisation within the industry. Here you will find templates, demonstration videos, interactive dashboards and presentations to assist with your digital transformation journey. Build Digital has published its International Best Practice in Digital Construction Adoption Report, Education and Training Inventory for Digital Construction and Irish BIM Mandate Project Assessor tool through the Exchange Hub.

Build Digital wants to hear from you. Closing date: Friday, 13 December 2024. Details of the survey can be found at www.builddigitalproject.ie

Construct Innovate two years on – What’s next?

KASIA HEFFERNAN, Communication and Marketing Officer, Construct Innovate, writes about the Centre’s success over its first two years of operation and sets its opportunities for industry to get involved in its 2025 programme.

Construct Innovate is Ireland’s national research centre for construction technology and innovation, operating since December 2022. As part of Enterprise Ireland’s industry-led Technology Centre programme, the Centre aims to provide independent and evidencebased research through collaboration between industry members and academic research-performing member organisations (RPOs).

SEED FUND CALLS

One hugely successful way Construct Innovate supports innovation and collaboration in the construction industry is through funding industry-led projects with its Seed Fund Calls.

Following the success of its first Seed Fund Call in 2023, Construct Innovate’s second Seed Fund Call attracted many collaborative and impactful project proposals in 2024. There was a significant increase in applications received compared to 2023, which shows the increased engagement the industry is having with Construct Innovate and the value it can bring to construction sector organisations.

A total of 18 project proposals were approved for funding, totalling over €1.1m in funding committed by the Centre through this Seed Fund Call. The focus of these projects is wide-ranging and they reflect challenges that the industry faces

around productivity, quality, safety and sustainability, as well as opportunities for collaboration. The outcomes of each project will be published and available through Construct Innovate as the projects progress and are completed.

The Centre is also focused on delivering independent research that can inform future policy and standards. It is working closely with multiple government departments to identify ways to positively support their work through research.

€5M FUNDING FOR HOUSING RESEARCH

In September 2024, an allocation of €5m in funding was made available to Construct Innovate to enable a new programme of housing-focused research at the Centre

under the government’s Housing for All commitments. A range of applied research projects to advance innovation in the residential building sector are now underway.

WORK READY GRADUATE PROGRAMME

In 2024, the Centre also introduced the first Work Ready Graduate Programme (WRGP), an Enterprise Ireland-funded programme, which commenced in September. This yearlong programme matches recently qualified graduates from RPO institutions with the Centre’s industry member organisations while providing training, mentorship, and support to the graduates through Construct Innovate.

Construct Innovate Centre Manager Colm McHugh speaking at a conference about the Centre’s work.

CONSTRUCT INNOVATE WEBSITE – A KNOWLEDGE HUB OPEN TO ALL

In addition to funding support and talent sourcing, Construct Innovate offers open source, open access to explainers, reports, guides, webinars, training materials, and tools like calculators and databases that can be directly accessed through the Construct Innovate website. This knowledge hub includes free access to 2023 and 2024 webinar recordings, as well as ready-fordownload reports and guidance documents.

Valuable guides, such as ‘Viable Homes - Practical guidance for planners and developers on carbon optimisation of housing developments’ and ‘Design for Manufacture and Assembly with Design for Reuse’, are freely available, as well as databases like the ‘Catalogue of Construction and Retrofitting Courses Ireland’.

CONSTRUCT INNOVATE AIMDAY EVENTS

Construct Innovate hosts member events to further engage with its membership and the wider industry. To date, it has held three AIMDays - members workshop meetings - and open events such as its latest ‘Industry Day’, which took place on Thursday, 24 October at the Clayton Hotel, Galway. Attended by over 80 professionals from across the construction industry and academia and other built environment stakeholders, attendees met and participated in networking sessions focused on Innovation and Testing, Digitalisation and Sustainability.

WHAT’S NEXT FOR CONSTRUCT INNOVATE?

EXTENDED SERVICES AND PRODUCTS IN THE COMING YEAR

Construct Innovate now offers access to some of Ireland’s most advanced research and innovation infrastructure through RPO partners in academic institutions across the country. Some of our members have already availed of this testing infrastructure in 2024 to test their latest innovations.

There will be more cooperation in innovation testing between industry and RPOs to come in 2025.

METABUILDING OPEN INNOVATION PLATFORM

In 2025, Construct Innovate will enable access to the METABUILDING Open Innovation Platform, providing innovators with the technical support of experts and/

A University of Galway team testing innovative screed properties for a Construct Innovate industry member.

or access to adequate services, testbeds and demo buildings across Europe to advance technologies.

For members of Construct Innovate, this will create additional opportunities to exchange innovation in services and products and collaborate on future advancements in construction according to the Centre’s pillar areas and through themebased working groups.

WORK READY GRADUATE PROGRAMME

Furthermore, the second Work Ready Graduate Programme will be rolled out in 2025, giving opportunities for graduates to find their dream career in construction while bringing new talent directly to Construct Innovate industry members.

WHOLE LIFECYCLE CARBON REPORTS

More valuable research outputs focused on a wide variety of sectoral areas will continue to come from Construct Innovate in 2025. A prime example of this valuable research will be the Whole Lifecycle Carbon (WLC) suite of reports, and the accompanying calculator tool developed through the INDICATE project (University of Galway and Irish Green Building Council joint project) coming next year to the Construct Innovate Knowledge Hub.

FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES FOR 2025

In 2025, Construct Innovate will continue to provide funding opportunities through the Centre and support the sector in accessing alternative funding avenues. This support will enable members to start or continue their research journeys within their organisations while also supporting the wider industry as it transitions to become a more productive, sustainable and digitalised sector.

NETWORKING IN 2025

Construct Innovate will also continue to create networking opportunities while addressing Irish construction industry research and development challenges.

Organisations who think that engaging with the depth of expertise in academia in Ireland and internationally can help them to experiment and test innovation are encouraged to get in touch with Construct Innovate and enquire about membership.

To learn more about what Construct Innovate can do for your organisation, visit www.

constructinnovate. ie , email info@ constructinnovate.ie or scan the QR code

Conor

Hayes, Head of Sustainability, Irish Concrete Federation.

Addressing concrete’s carbon footprint

CONOR HAYES, Head of Sustainability, Irish Concrete Federation, speaks with Robbie Cousins about how its members are working to reduce carbon emissions from cement and concrete products.

Concrete, a cornerstone of human civilisation, has shaped our world from ancient times. This versatile material underpins our cities, roads, and bridges, driving societal progress and urban development. As the second most consumed material globally, after water, concrete’s ubiquity is undeniable.

However, this essential building block has come with a significant environmental cost. Cement and concrete production is responsible for approximately 8% of global CO2 emissions, underscoring the urgent need for innovative solutions to reduce its carbon footprint.

At COP28 in Dubai in 2023, countries committed to a bold new programme, the ‘Cement and Concrete Breakthrough’ initiative, aimed at the widespread adoption of near-zero-emission cement production by 2030.

The Irish Concrete Federation’s (ICF’s) Head of Sustainability, Conor Hayes,

says that cement and concrete producers are making considerable advances in addressing carbon emissions relating to their products and working with other industry stakeholders to identify ways in which the essential building material can be used in a less environmentally impactful way, while at the working on solutions to develop nearzero emissions cement.

IRISH CONCRETE FEDERATION

The ICF is the national representative body of the Irish aggregates and concrete products industry. It represents 74 members and associate members operating at approximately 300 locations across Ireland. ICF members comprise publicly listed and family-owned businesses, including quarry operators. These companies produce essential building materials such as aggregates, ready-mixed concrete, precast concrete products and agricultural lime.

Conor Hayes has been working with

ICF members and industry stakeholders to address the carbon emission impacts of concrete, a material that he says has a lot to offer in terms of reducing emissions when specified and used in the correct way.

Hayes has had a career-long fascination with the sustainability of construction materials.

“Before joining the ICF, I worked for 17 years as a structural engineer with Arup, operating primarily between their Dublin and London offices and working on various projects in other parts of the world.

“I became fascinated by materials sustainability as a young engineer when a client on a large and complex project in the Middle East raised the issue. This opened up a new area within engineering, leading to my completing a master’s thesis in Materials Sustainability in the Design Process. Through this, I gained a greater understanding of the materials used in construction and how they affect the

embodied carbon and the whole-life carbon (WLC) of buildings and structures. As my career progressed, I carried out WLC assessments of Arup projects and provided clients with WLC options in terms of project design for elements such as facades, structures, finishes, MEPs, etc.

“I was later appointed to a global structural sustainability role within Arup and was a member of their global carbon steering group. The steering group looked at the decisions that designers made around sustainability and the impact that these had on carbon, biodiversity and circularity. I helped establish a structure within Arup to assist designers in working with sustainability in mind, allowing them to specify and engage with contractors around this issue and, in turn, encouraging contractors to engage with their supply chains to track sustainability through the entire construction process.”

MAKING CONCRETE SUSTAINABLE

When the ICF came calling earlier this year, Conor Hayes says he wasn’t going to pass on the opportunity to work with the biggest supply chain in the industry.

One of the issues he is addressing as ICF

head of sustainability is engaging with ICF members and industry stakeholders on how cement and concrete can be utilised in more sustainable ways.

He explains: “Designers can only specify what is available to them. Likewise, contractors can only use the materials available through their supply chain.

Understanding how the cement and concrete supply chain works and the constraints it operates under is fundamental to clients’ abilities to achieve the embodied carbon goals of their projects.

“I have come to understand that when the carbon intensity of concrete is compared with other construction materials, it will perform very well under the right conditions. Many elements contribute to the embodied carbon in a project. If you assess what happens to any building material from the point of extraction to when it is used, quite a few factors contribute to the emissions associated with it. And while there are a lot of emissions associated with cement production, the key ingredient in concrete, huge advances are being made by the industry to reduce these.”

He adds: “From conducting WLC assessments, I came to understand that concrete is not necessarily unusually carbon

intensive compared to other construction materials. In fact, in many cases, its intensity is lower. Obviously, this outcome is impacted by project decisions- and context-specific issues.

“And let’s not forget, concrete is the second most used substance on earth after water. It is an incredibly useful material. It’s robust, durable and cost-effective. It’s formable and has good vibration, acoustic and fire resistance performance.

“The challenge with concrete is not that the amount of carbon per kilo or a metre cube is incredibly intense. The problem is that as we need to use so much of it, we have to rethink how we use it in a sustainability sense.”

REDUCING CONCRETE’S CARBON INTENSITY

A large proportion of the world’s carbon emissions are related to cement used primarily in concrete. The challenge is to reduce emissions associated with concrete, and Conor Hayes says the industry is working on this.

“The seemingly obvious solution is to replace concrete with less carbon-intensive materials. But, alternative materials are just not suitable for the purposes that concrete is used for. I concluded long before I joined ICF that as the industry is so dependent on concrete, we must find ways to reduce carbon intensity directly.

“ICF members have embraced the numbers around cement and concrete and understand where the environmental impacts are with their products. Manufacturers are working with clients, designers and contractors to provide options for better carbon outcomes.

“When we engage with the design community, we often see elements that are, for example, over-specified, such as exposure classes where a project ends up using more cement than is needed.

“The ideal for concrete products in their current form is to use less volume of concrete., use less cement in that concrete, and use less clinker in that cement. Contrary to being a threat to the industry, ICF members are embracing these issues and coming up with solutions.”

NEXT STEPS

Conor Hayes says the goal is to get to a point where carbon content can be properly measured and that measurement is validated, then produce EPDs and communicate the significance of the information contained therein to clients and stakeholders.

On the precast side, he explains that there are several additional steps that can be taken. “For example, precasters are optimising mixes with respect to carbon. When I first started working as an engineer, nobody was optimising their designs or concrete mixes

Silvertown Tunnel - Banagher Precast Concrete

Blanchardstown Main Drainage – Kilsaran.

for carbon, but substantial savings are being achieved by doing this.

Hayes adds that, to date, there has been a lot achieved by the cement industry in reducing emissions. Measures include reducing clinker content and using alternative fuels in cement plants. “The long-term opportunity is to capture carbon and store it. There are also opportunities for alternative binders and cement replacements on the horizon.

“There’s been a lot of use of GGBS and PFA generally. But both of those materials will become less available over time. So the industry has to develop other replacements and binder products that will reduce the use of Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) in concrete.”

He adds: “There’s also designed-in solutions such as using more efficient forms. We can also look at other performance requirements around loading and durability to give the industry what it needs rather than simply supplying an excellent and durable product.”

POINT-SOURCE CARBON CAPTURE

The heating of limestone to produce clinker accounts for 50% of emissions in cement production. Various alternative fuels are at different levels at gestation. Conor Hayes says the use of alternative fuels in cement plants is moving forward at a great pace, with up to 70% plus in some processes, and he suggests this percentage could go as high as 90%.

“The use of alternative fuels has been gradually increasing and will continue to go up. However, cement producers have also been working on other thermal efficiency measures, whereby they are looking to get a better bang for their buck in terms of the heat that they are putting into the calcination of limestone.

Point-source carbon capture, where CO2 from large sources such as power plants and industrial facilities is trapped and stored to prevent it from being released into the atmosphere, is a key method for cutting emissions in the cement and concrete industry.

Hayes explains there have been promising trials with carbon capture and storage within concrete. “One of our members offers a product that uses captured carbon in the wet mix. The primary benefit is that this accelerates strength gain, and thus less cement is needed.”

CLINKER MANDATE

The ICF welcomed the government’s Clinker Mandate earlier this year. The mandate specifies a minimum of 30% clinker substitution in concrete products used in government and public works projects. He comments: “We engaged with the

team that prepared the report which brought about the mandate, and we appreciate where they are coming from in terms of setting out a roadmap for how the industry will change and how it needs to change.

“The mandate is an important signalling exercise to the sector, and we have taken that signal on board. Our industry has long moved from CEM1 to CEM2 cement mixes, with significant replacement in some industry sectors.”

WORKING WITH OTHER BODIES

The ICF is a member of the Irish Green Building Council (IGBC) and works with Construct Innovate and the Construction Industry Federation (CIF).

Conor Hayes notes: “These bodies do excellent work, and we would be delighted to get the opportunity to work with them. There is a lot of scope for R&D in the industry and tremendous opportunities for Ireland in terms of being at the forefront of construction R&D.”

BIODIVERSITY

ICF members who operate quarries play a significant role by having a net positive impact on biodiversity. Through the nature of their operations, they are ideally placed to support birds of prey, such as peregrine falcons and buzzards, who nest in unused quarry faces. In addition, operators are rewilding the lands around their quarries with native woodland.

Conor Hayes explains: “Our quarry members are creating distinct, new biodiverse habitats. You’ll often see birds of prey, peregrine falcons, buzzards, and so on, nesting in quarries and being left alone

in a way that would not necessarily be the case in surrounding farmlands. Quarry practices introduced in recent years include not cutting into certain faces during nesting season.

“In addition, many quarries have rewilded around their space, as they want to bound off quarry operations for safety and security purposes. They’ve often planted native woodlands all around their land that then go untouched.

“Furthermore, once a quarry has been exhausted, the owners remediate it, sometimes by taking in waste soil and stone from projects elsewhere.”

IN CONCLUSION

The main challenge facing the cement and concrete industry is reducing CO2 emissions while at the same time meeting massive demand. Conor Hayes believes that addressing climate change in the built environment will require every stakeholder to contribute.

“We all know that reducing carbon emissions in construction must involve every stakeholder and every step in the construction process from concept to end of a building’s or structure’s life cycle. Reducing emissions is not simply a concrete or a cement problem. We all need to work together in a sensible, consistent and numerical way to find solutions.

“ICF members understand that they have a responsibility because of the sheer scale of the material’s use. We are working extremely hard to address the issue. And we want to engage with all stakeholders, including other materials producers, to deliver a more sustainable built environment,” Conor Hayes concludes.

International Rugby Experience - O’Connell Quarries/Techrete.

Irish ambassador hosts MMC forum in London

Alarge audience attended the Embassy of Ireland’s Grosvenor Place residence recently when the Irish Ambassador to Great Britain, Martin Fraser, hosted an evening to explore offsite and other modern methods of construction (MMC).

The London Irish Construction Network (LICN) organised the event, bringing together key figures from the construction industry to examine the increasingly important role of offsite and modern construction methodologies in delivering housing, healthcare, education and infrastructure targets across the UK and Ireland.

The LICN, founded in 2009 by Irish business leaders in London’s construction sector, maintains its commitment to driving business opportunities for members whilst facilitating innovation within the industry.

Ambassador Fraser’s opening remarks highlighted MMC’s fundamental importance to the future of both Irish and British construction sectors while noting the considerable legacy of Irish construction expertise within London’s built environment.

Sean Daly of LICN welcomed the packed house to the embassy, noting how the remarkable turnout reflected the construction industry’s growing recognition of MMC’s emerging role in meeting future building demands. He said: “Rising costs, skills shortages and ambitious net-zero targets make this the right moment for MMC. Our network members are

L to r: Frank O’Hare, The London Irish Construction Network; Con O’Sullivan, The London Irish Construction Network; Sean Daly, The London Irish Construction Network; Carol Tallon, Property District; Deborah Smyth, Modular Express; Ryan Dempster, Gardiner & Theobald; and Charlie Wiltshire, Sisk.

particularly well-positioned to tackle these challenges, given the Irish construction sector’s track record of innovation and proven expertise in the London market. With the Irish government’s €8.5bn commitment to social housing and the UK’s substantial infrastructure pipeline, we’re looking at unprecedented opportunities for MMC adoption across residential, healthcare, education and other sectors. This embassy gathering demonstrates the wider industry interest in MMC and the need to maintain strong cross-border collaboration as we work to deliver the next generation of sustainable construction solutions.”

Sean Armstrong from the Department of Housing in Ireland spoke of the significant

government backing for MMC initiatives. He detailed an €8bn department budget, with a €6bn allocation to social housing, including plans to deliver at least 1,500 units through MMC under the accelerated delivery programme.

Carol Tallon, CEO, Property District, moderated an expert panel discussion. The panel included Deborah Smyth, Managing Director, Modular Express Group; Ryan Dempster, Director, Gardiner & Theobald; and Charlie Wiltshire, Senior Design Manager, Sisk.

The panel tackled several crucial aspects of MMC implementation, including planning and certification challenges.

The Irish Ambassador to Great Britain, Martin Fraser and Carol Tallon, CEO, Property District.

Green homes drive key to tackling housing crisis and climate emergency

The housing crisis, climate emergency, and a raft of other crises, including the postwar reconstruction of Ukraine, can be tackled simultaneously through a pan-European green homes investment drive.

The Smarter Finance for EU consortium, aiming to unlock €100bn worth of green homes across Europe, announced the launch of a European Centre of Excellence to promote green home certification and investment across Europe at the Irish Green Building Council’s annual residential conference in Dublin.

Speaking at the Smarter4EU Better Homes 2024 conference in Dublin, consortium spokesperson Elena Rastei said: “The world is facing several environmental and social crises, including climate change, biodiversity collapse, and the need to provide safe, healthy, affordable homes for all. Green homes can help to tackle all of these problems and more – and deliver warm, healthy, affordable homes for families all around Europe.

The EU-Life-funded project aims to help standardise and align green home programmes across Europe with requirements affecting the finance world to support the implementation of the European Green Deal.

The consortium includes partners with established green home programmes in Ireland, Romania, and Spain, as well as new programmes in Portugal and Ukraine – all aligned with new rules for green investment via the EU taxonomy for sustainable activities.

The day before the conference, the consortium brought a delegation of mayors and municipal leaders from Ukraine and Portugal to visit a Clúid affordable housing scheme in Cabra certified to the Home Performance Index, the Irish Green Building Council’s sustainable home rating system.

“Green homes should not be seen as a luxury – even in a post-war setting,” says Smarter4EU energy poverty lead Iva Merheim-Eyre. “Green housing can be economically viable even in affordable housing sectors with a good blend of public and private investments.

World Green Building Council sustainable finance lead Julie Emmrich emphasised the need to include green renovations of Europe’s existing housing stock: “The EU taxonomy currently doesn’t sufficiently incentivise investments in green retrofits in residential homes,” she said.

The Better Homes conference included a roundtable discussion on overcoming challenges to delivering green, healthy and affordable housing for all, including municipalities and financial agencies from Spain, Ireland, Portugal and Ukraine.

HYBRID FINANCE SOLUTIONS

A session on “hybrid” finance solutions, which include blends of private and public funding, discussed delivering green homes for the social and affordable housing sectors across Europe. According to MerheimEyre, hybrid finance will have a particularly important role to play in unlocking green home investment across Europe, including Ukraine. “Given the scale of the reconstruction challenge in Ukraine, hybrid finance will be required at a time when investors are under increasing pressure to green their investment portfolios.”

SMARTER FINANCE FOR EU

The EU LIFE co-funded project, Smarter Finance for EU, is dedicated to driving the change Europe needs in the development of finance and credible green certification for homes.

Smarter has unlocked finance and green home certification for over 31,000 new homes across Europe by taking a systemic, multidisciplinary approach to

solving a systemic problem. The needs and motivations of all essential stakeholder groups that are crucial to moving the green finance topic forward to promote greener homes for Europe are considered.

With energy poverty on the rise across Europe in the aftermath of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the consortium also includes a focus on developing hybrid green finance products to help lift vulnerable people out of energy poverty and provide healthy, comfortable homes with low exposure to energy price spikes.

THE HOME PERFORMANCE INDEX

The Home Performance Index is Ireland’s first national certification system for quality and sustainable residential development. It was developed by the Irish Green Building Council after extensive consultation with the industry. HPI certification is based on verifiable indicators that are divided into five categories: ‘Environment’, ‘Economic’, ‘Health and Wellbeing’, ‘Quality Assurance’ and ‘Sustainable Location’. It provides people with the assurance that their homes have been designed and constructed with care to ensure low running costs, enhance occupant wellbeing and minimise environmental impact. To date, 29,000 homes have been registered for certification.

Pictured at the Smarter Finance for EU Better Homes 2024 conference are (L to r): Iva Merheim Eyre, Project Manager, Habitat for Humanity; Artem Hanushchak, Deputy Mayor, Rivne, Ukraine; Rolf Behrndt, Supervisory Board Member, Energy Efficiency Fund; Noel Ross, Director, Ardcairn Capital; and Jeff Colley, Editor Passive House Plus.

Have you started to measure the embodied carbon of your building projects yet?

LENNY

ANTONELLI, Membership Engagement Officer, Irish Green Building Council, highlights key IGBC programmes for 2025 and outlines how contractors can measure and reduce the whole life carbon of their construction projects.

Here in Ireland, we’ve made good progress in cutting the operational carbon of heating, cooling and lighting new buildings, which is responsible for 23% of our greenhouse gas emissions.

Now, embodied carbon - the carbon associated with the construction, maintenance, and demolition of buildings, which causes 14% of our emissions – will be the next big challenge.

WHOLE LIFE CARBON MEASUREMENT

At the Irish Green Building Council (IGBC) l, taking a ‘whole life’ view of carbon and cutting both operational and embodied emissions will be our key focus in 2025. We have a suite of resources, tools and projects to help you achieve this.

From 2028, the new Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) will make the measurement of ‘whole life carbon’ (embodied plus operational carbon) mandatory for large buildings. And all buildings will have to measure and limit embodied carbon from 2030. But, given the scale of new construction envisioned in Ireland between now and 2030, it’s critical we start much sooner.

We are focusing on transport emissions, too. The EPA’s latest State of the Environment report says that integration of land use planning and transport planning is critical to delivering compact development and reducing car dependency.

IGBC progamme plans for 2025

Next year, we’ll be ramping up our work to support the building industry to reduce embodied, operational and transport emissions through a series of exciting initiatives. These include:

• Tackling barriers to the renovation of vacant ‘above the shop’ dwellings in our towns and cities through our newly launched Vacant to Vibrant Alliance

• A new circularity roadmap for the Irish building industry to reduce embodied carbon by driving the recovery and reuse of building materials

• Measuring and cutting carbon emitted during construction from transport and site processes (In Norway, the city of Oslo has committed to making all construction sites in the region zeroemission by 2030)

• Developing a pilot ‘regulatory sandbox’,

a safe space for low carbon building systems innovators and policymakers to collaborate

• A new tool to evaluate development sites for their liveability and potential carbon footprint, including transport emissions

• Tackling barriers to the retrofit of commercial buildings

• Publishing a catalogue of practical biodiversity case studies for the built environment

• Piloting the CO2 Performance Ladder, a tool that enables procurers to reduce the carbon footprint of construction

• Growing the Home Performance Index, our holistic sustainability standard, which currently has over 27,500 homes registered

How to measure and reduce the whole life carbon of your construction projects Are you keen to learn more about how to measure and reduce the whole life carbon of your construction projects? The IGBC supports the industry to reduce operational and embodied emissions. How can you do this?

• Take our short Embodied Carbon 101 course, which we are making available free of charge to Irish Construction News readers

• Read our Viable Homes guidance to learn about what types of housing development have the lowest carbon footprint

• Start measuring whole life carbon and setting targets, such as those set by the RIAI Climate Challenge

To learn more about the steps mentioned above or about IGBC membership, visit www.igbc.ie or email memberservices@igbc.ie.

To take the IGBC’s Embodied Carbon 101 course free of charge, scan the QR code or visit https://learn.igbc.ie/ course/embodiedcarbon-101 and use the promo code ICN25 by the end of January.

Irish Green Building Council’s Better Homes 2024 conference.

Liebherr Tower Cranes and John Paul Construction celebrate 50 years of partnership

John Paul Construction is celebrating two anniversaries this year: its 75th anniversary and 50 years of partnership with Liebherr.

Stéfanie Wohlfarth, Administrative Board Vice President, Liebherr-International AG; Marco Guariglia, Managing Director Sales, Liebherr-Werk Biberach GmbH; and Daniel Hieronimus, Sales Director, Liebherr Tower Cranes; travelled to Dublin recently to congratulate Liam Kenny, Managing Director, John Paul Construction and Niall O’Connor, Construction Director, John Paul Construction.

The Liebherr executives visited John Paul Construction’s Harcourt Square office complex in Dublin city centre to mark the occasion.

Liam Kenny commented on the occasion: “Our green Liebherr tower cranes have been a mainstay on John Paul Construction projects in Ireland now for well over 50 years. I’m certain that partnerships such as this are one of the main reasons both Liebherr and John Paul Construction are around to celebrate 75 years in business this year. We wish Liebherr continued

L to r: Niall O’Connor, Construction Director, John Paul Construction; Stéfanie Wohlfarth, Administrative Board Vice President, Liebherr-International AG; Mark Evans, Managing Director, Armorum Ltd; Daniel Hieronimus, Sales Director, Liebherr Tower Cranes; Liam Kenny, Managing Director, John Paul Construction; Marco Guariglia, Managing Director Sales, Liebherr-Werk Biberach GmbH; and Jarleth O’Leary, Director, Armourm Ltd.

success and look forward to continuing the relationship and building on it going forward.”

Liebherr-Werk Biberach GmbH and John Paul Construction have successfully joined forces again on two current construction projects. The planning was actively supported by Liebherr’s project department for special and major projects, ‘Tower Crane Solutions’, while Armorum Limited,

Liebherr’s sales partner for tower cranes in Ireland since the beginning of this year, assisted with the active phase of construction work.

The Harcourt Square office complex is currently under construction in Dublin. Five Liebherr cranes are responsible for moving steel parts and RC frame components: three 340 EC-B 12s, one 202 EC-B 10 Litronic and one 200 EC-H 10 Litronic.

HiiLIFE appointed as the official Samsung Climate Solutions distributor in Ireland

HiiLIFE, a leading technology provider for the construction sector, has announced its appointment as the official Samsung Climate Solutions distributor in Ireland.

The strategic partnership builds upon HiiLIFE’s successful collaboration with Samsung in the UK, extending their joint commitment to deliver advanced heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) solutions to both the commercial and residential markets nationwide.

Charles McAlpine, technical sales director at HiiLIFE, says: “We’re delighted to extend our work with Samsung and become its official climate solutions distributor in Ireland. This expansion marks a significant milestone in HiiLIFE’s growth strategy, reinforcing our position as a leading technology provider in the UK and Ireland.

“Samsung introduced its first air conditioner in 1974. Since then, the company has continuously invested in new energy-efficient solutions for cooling, heating, domestic hot water, refrigeration, and smart building technology, setting the standard in the industry. We are excited to bring these advanced climate control products to customers, backed by our dedi-

r):Andy

cated expertise and support.”

HiiLIFE will leverage its extensive industry experience and customer-focused approach to deliver comprehensive sales, design, installation and after-sales support for Samsung’s HVAC products.

Andy Burt, Head of Sales and Business Development, Samsung UK and Ireland, adds: “We are delighted to broaden our collaboration with the HiiLIFE team

to Ireland, building on our successful distributor agreement in the UK. HiiLIFE’s expertise and strong presence in the construction sector make the firm an ideal partner to deliver our HVAC solutions to the Irish market.”

For more information about HiiLIFE and the Samsung HVAC systems available in Ireland, visit https://hii-life.com/

(L to

Burt, Head of Sales and Business Development (UK and Ireland), Samsung Electronics and Charles McAlpine, Technical Sales Director, HiiLIFE.

TU Dublin launches the Chadwicks Group Scholarship Programme

TU Dublin and Chadwicks Group have launched the Chadwicks Group Scholarship Programme, which was created to support students in the university’s Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment. Introduced in February 2024, this inaugural programme will provide financial assistance to two outstanding students for the duration of their studies, allowing them to focus on their education and future careers.

Patrick Atkinson, CEO, Chadwicks Group, visited the TU Dublin Grangegorman campus to meet the TU Dublin access team and one of the first recipients of the Chadwicks Group Scholarship, Omar Hasan. The visit marked the start of an exciting chapter for the university and its industry partner, Chadwicks Group.

This new scholarship programme further strengthens the relationship between TU Dublin and Chadwicks Group, as both organisations share a commitment to nurturing the next generation of leaders in engineering and construction.

Speaking about the launch, Claire Dunne, Access Support Manager, TU Dublin, said: “Financial supports like the Chadwicks Scholarship provide a vital lifeline for students, empowering them to focus on their studies without the constant worry of financial pressures. This allows them to fully engage in university life and provides them the resources needed to reach their full potential.”

Patrick Atkinson, CEO, Chadwicks Group, expressed the company’s enthusiasm for the programme, stating Chadwicks is delighted to be able to present this scholarship programme to TU Dublin to support the education and development of students in the engineering and built environment. He commented: “We are committed to investing in the future of the construction industry

by helping students acquire the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in their careers. We wish the recipients every success in their future studies and careers and look forward to continuing to work with TU Dublin on this and other development projects.”

TU Dublin’s Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment has 180 programmes, ranging from craft apprenticeships to short CPD courses, degree programmes to masters. Collaboration with businesses, such as Chadwicks, ensures its graduates acquire the required abilities and expertise to thrive in occupations in the built environment and engineering sectors.

AirconMech unveils brand refresh: embracing growth, innovation, and heritage

AirconMech, a leading mechanical engineering contractor with a rich legacy rooted in Co Wexford, has announced the launch of its refreshed brand identity and the debut of a modernised corporate website as it continues to advance operations across the life sciences, mission-critical, commercial, residential and healthcare industries.

The brand refresh aims to reflect the company’s specialised mechanical services and capacity to deliver high-performance solutions at scale. This rebranding initiative underscores AirconMech’s commitment to continued growth and innovation in the dynamic mechanical engineering sector across Ireland, the UK, and Europe

Speaking about the refreshed identity, John Dempsey, Co-founder and CEO, AirconMech, commented: “The decision to refresh the AirconMech brand stems from our commitment to staying dynamic and relevant in the ever-evolving mechanical engineering industry. We want our brand to reflect the innovation, growth, and people that have characterised our journey since we first established operations in 1996. With a forecasted turnover of over €45m this year, we believe the refreshed brand identity will help us continue to cement our positioning in the mechanical engineering industry and better communicate our capabilities and values to our clients and partners as we scale up and advance operations across Ireland, the UK, and Europe.”

The new brand identity preserves the essence of AirconMech’s heritage while embracing a modern and forward-thinking approach. At its core is a newly designed logo featuring a bold ‘A’ - a symbol inspired by the Greek Alpha, representing new beginnings. The sharp lines embody precision, while the fluid shapes capture the efficiency

AirconMech co-founders and joint CEOs John Dempsey and Jim Mullett.

crafted at the heart of AirconMech’s mechanical services.

Embracing its Wexford heritage, the brand preserves its signature purple and gold colours, deepening the connection to local craftsmanship.

The new tagline, ‘Enhancing Environments. Advancing Engineering’, captures AirconMech’s commitment to enhancing the comfort and efficiency of its clients’ spaces with expert mechanical solutions while pushing the boundaries of engineering.

L to r: Omar Hasan, Chadwicks Scholar; Patrick Atkinson, CEO, Chadwicks Group; and Claire Dunne, Access Support Manager, TU Dublin.

Panasonic launches European production line for Big Aquarea heat pump range

Panasonic has opened a new production line at its Pilsen factory, which is dedicated to its large-capacity Big Aquarea M Series air-to-water heat pumps. The €2.6m investment enhances Panasonic’s manufacturing capacity in Europe to meet the rising demand for heating solutions with natural refrigerant. Designed and produced entirely in Europe, the Big Aquarea is tailored for centralised heating in multi-family homes and light commercial buildings, supporting the transition to decarbonised heating systems.

The new production line for large-capacity outdoor heat pump units is located in the expanding production complex in the Borská Pole industrial zone in Pilsen, Czech Republic, where Panasonic has been producing heat pumps since 2018. However, largecapacity units have never been produced here until now as Hiroshi Komatsubara, Managing Director of the Pilsen plant of Panasonic Heating & Ventilation Air-Conditioning Czech, explains: “We are proud to reaffirm our commitment to heat pump production in Europe with three factories dedicated to providing reliable heating and cooling solutions for residential and commercial applications. This investment ensures we can meet the region’s growing demand for energy-efficient systems.”

The Big Aquarea T-CAP M Series offers a flexible, compact, and energy-efficient solution. These heat pumps provide a sustainable alternative to traditional fossil fuel systems and can be integrated with existing water systems such as fan coils, floor heating, or domestic hot water tanks. The series includes units with outputs ranging from 20 to 30 kW and up to 300 kW in cascade.

Key features of the Big Aquarea T-CAP M Series include high

efficiency with a COP of 4.91 at 7/35, low noise levels, flexible control options, seamless Modbus integration, and Wi-Fi connectivity for Aquarea Smart Cloud and Aquarea Service Cloud. These features make the Big Aquarea an excellent choice for various applications, blending seamlessly with architecture and the environment. Panasonic’s new production line in Pilsen is equipped with advanced IoT technologies and AI, ensuring top-quality production and rapid return on investment.

Komatsu new-year newcomers from McHale Plant Sales

Two important new year newcomers from Komatsu distributor in Ireland, McHale Plant Sales, will be the latest Dash-11 generation WA475-11 and WA485-11 wheel loaders, details of which have just been announced.

Already an established favourite amongst quarry owners, aggregates producers, and those working in a variety of applications that include timber, waste, grain, and fertiliser handling, both newcomers come on the market equipped with a number of upgrades and a major focus on fuel efficiency.

The most significant improvement in terms of fuel saving is a 29% reduction in the WA485-11c compared with its WA4808 predecessor. Another double-digit reduction is the WA475-11’s 14% better figure compared to its Dash-10 predecessor.

Ahead of their arrival - supported by a dedicated demonstration programme - McHale Plant Sales Director Denis McGrath says: “Replacing two highly successful units proven in numerous Irish applications, both new models are characterised by better consumption and by an equally-important high torque in the low-speed range.

“Equipped with Komatsu’s hydromechanical transmission, both machines

are said to deliver a superior performance with power reserves and ease of operation in all transport and loading tasks.”

McGrath adds: “Compared with its WA480-8 predecessor, the WA485-11 offers a significant upgrade in payload and bucket capacity. All components have been adapted to a permanent payload of 8,800kg, a level extendable to 9,300kg in an aggregates-handling variant, which helps reduce the number of loading cycles required depending on the vehicle size.

“A constant variable gear ratio ensures the engine stays in a highly efficient fuel zone, with variable speed control that makes it possible to adapt the machine’s maximum speed to the requirements of the job site. Adjustable variable traction control limits wheel spin in difficult ground conditions.”

On the sustainability front, both models have EU Stage V compliant advanced emissions control. Features of note include Komatsu’s well-proven exhaust with diesel particulate filter and selective catalyst reduction that further reduces NOx emissions using AdBlue. With lowemission combustion, this means their diesel particulate filter needs replacement only every 8,000h – an interval that can be extended by using low-ash engine oil.

Hiroshi Komatsubara, Managing Director of the Panasonic’s Pilsen plant.

Komatsu WA475-11 wheel loader.

Komatsu WA485-11 wheel loader.