Costs: Report indicates some variation cross regions

A report earlier this year by the Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland (SCSI) showed that while construction costs were continuing to rise, the rate of increase eased significantly in the last six months of 2022.

Increased

The Tender Price Index published by the SCSI showed the rate of commercial construction inflation increased by 4% in the second half of 2022, down from a record high of 7.5% in the first six months of the year.

According to the SCSI’s Tender Price Index, the annual rate of inflation from January 2022 to December 2022 was 11.5%, down from 14% in the preceding year.

The report indicates some variation across the regions with a higher rate of inflation of 5% recorded in the Rest of Leinster and Connacht / Ulster while the median rate in Dublin and Munster is in line with the national figure of 4%.

Substantial

Kevin Brady, chair of the Quantity Surveying Professional Group in the SCSI said that while the sustained rate of increase was still substantial, the reduction in the rate of increase – which the SCSI predicted at the time of the last report – was a welcome development.

‘The easing of the rate of tender price inflation seen in the last six months of 2022 is due to fuel and energy prices abating toward the back end of the year coupled with a slight easing of supply chain issues,’ he said.

‘These changes have contributed to the more moderate fluctuations in material prices that Ireland has been experiencing since 2021,' he said at the time of the report.

Hope

He continued: ‘While the hope would be that the downward trend will continue this year, 4% is still a high figure and it’s clear the effects of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine – particularly with regard to increased fuel and energy costs – continues to dominate the market.

‘Material price increases are expected to continue to fluctuate with rises likely until there is a marked decrease in the cost of electricity, gas, and other fuels.

‘Materials which are energy intensive to produce such as aggregates, plasterboard, insulation, and plastic ducting are continuing to experience price rises into 2023,' Brady said at the time.

Kieran Holohan appointed managing director of Saint-Gobain Ireland

Saint Gobain Ireland is pleased to announce the appointment of Kieran Holohan as its new managing director.

Kieran began his tenure as managing director on 1 May, 2023, succeeding Pádraig Barry who is retiring.

Kieran joined Saint-Gobain in 2007 and has spent the last nine years as marketing director for Saint-Gobain Ireland.

Prior to this, he held the positions of marketing manager with Moy Isover and strategy manager for SaintGobain Ireland.

During this time, he has been instrumental in the development of Saint-Gobain’s Gyproc and Isover businesses and played a pivotal role in the organisation’s wider success.

Integral

Throughout his career at SaintGobain, Kieran has been an integral part of the leadership team and has amassed extensive experience of the Irish construction market and the competitive dynamics that shape it.

In his new role as managing director, ‘Kieran will be responsible for developing and executing business strategies for the Saint-Gobain brands Gyproc and Isover in Ireland.

He will oversee the company’s executive team, manage the company’s business operations, as well as continuing to grow and enhance Saint-Gobain’s brand profile as leaders in the Irish building materials market.

ABOVE: Saint-Gobain Ireland is pleased to announce the appointment of Kieran Holohan as its new managing director. Kieran will begin his tenure as managing director on 1 May, 2023, succeeding Pádraig Barry who is retiring.

Laoise

A Laois native, Kieran holds a Bachelor in Business Studies from the Atlantic Technological University and was recently awarded an MBA from the South East Technological Institute in 2022.

An all-round sports enthusiast, Kieran is a passionate Gaelic games

Shaun get’s his just reward!

Quantity Surveying student, Shaun Ferry of Gortahork, Donegal, was recently presented with the Student of the Year Award by the Chartered Association of Building Engineers (CABE) for achieving top marks in his first year across the Department of Civil Engineering and Construction at Atlantic Technological University (ATU) Donegal.

Present

T.J McMenamin of MCM Associates Architecture and Surveying, Raphoe, attended

ATU Donegal on behalf of CABE to present their annual award for best first year student to Shaun.

T.J McMenamin said on behalf of CABE that he was delighted to present the award to Shaun as a just reward for his hard work.

T.J formally presented Shaun with a CABE certificate and bursary cheque.

Shaun, who is now in his third year of the BSc (Hons) in Quantity Surveying, was delighted to make the trip back to ATU Donegal for the award presentation as he was and soccer fan, and currently enjoys mountain biking.

He is also the vice chairperson of the development committee for his local football club, Mooncoin Celtic.

Delighted

Speaking on his appointment as managing director of Saint-Gobain Ireland, Kieran Holohan said:

‘I am delighted to be appointed managing director of Saint-Gobain Ireland. I want to thank Pádraig for the stellar work done under his leadership and the substantial contribution he has made to this organisation during his sixteen years of service.

‘As a key contributor to the construction of safe and sustainable buildings in Ireland, I have a huge passion for our organisation and its ability to do an enormous power for good.

‘As a worldwide leader in light and sustainable construction, we have a key role to play in building a carbonneutral economy in Ireland.

‘I look forward to leading our exceptionally talented team to continued success and further growth as we play our part to ensure Irish buildings are efficient, safe, sustainable and great places to live and work.

I will dedicate myself to ensuring the growth ambitions for the organisation are realised and that we build on our strengths to deliver the best possible service to our loyal customer base.’ on placement with Scollard Doyle, Quantity Surveyors based in Dún Laoghaire.

Achievement

Anne Boner, Head of Department of Civil Engineering and Construction Management congratulated Shaun on his great achievement and wished him well with his future studies and placement year.

Anne also thanks CABE for their generous sponsorship of the award and for their ongoing support of the ATU Donegal civil and construction programmes.

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Considerate Constructors scheme appoints Amit Oberoi as executive chairman

Amit Oberoi has been appointed as executive chairman of the Considerate Constructors Scheme - the organisation which works with the construction industry to improve its image - to help raise its standards and build public trust in construction.

March

Amit took on this role with effect from 1 March 2023, having held the position of non-executive chairman from July 2022 and board director from January 2022.

Amit will lead the organisation on an interim basis, while the board resumes the recruitment of a new chief executive.

Amit is a global risk management practitioner, with over twenty years cross-industry experience in leadership roles in construction, technology, management consulting and national authorities.

Excited

Amit says: ‘I am excited to take on this role and to be able to put my knowledge and experience to work in developing the organisation.

‘I will be guiding the efforts of the executive, upholding our values, and delivering a smooth transition to the new chief executive when we make this appointment.’