Since 2024, more than €443,000 has been allocated by the Government to a campaign aimed at encouraging Irish construction workers overseas to return home, according to figures released in a Parliamentary Question.
According to Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science James Lawless, the “Build Back Home” campaign was developed “following research which included feedback from Irish construction workers abroad, that skills they developed abroad may not be valued at home.”
“My Department is leading on a number of communication initiatives to address the skills gap in construction, including a campaign aimed at Irish construction workers abroad who are considering returning home.”
According to the Minister, the campaign ran for two weeks in October 2024 in Canada and Australia, and is scheduled to run for seven weeks this October and November across Canada, Australia, and the United States. Notably, the 2025 spend will be finalised when the campaign is completed.
A total of €166,889 was spent in 2024, while €277,055 has been spent to date in 2025.
The campaign is funded by the Department of the Taoiseach through the Housing for All Implementation Fund.
The Minister claimed that the latest analytics show “strong engagement” with the campaign, noting that the Build Back Home website “has more than 68,750 visits, 95% of which are from North America, Canada and Australia.”
According to the Minister, between now and 2030, Ireland will require between 69,000 and 79,000 additional construction workers to deliver on its goals.
“Between now and 2030, Ireland needs between 69,000 to 79,000 additional construction sector workers to help deliver on ambitious targets for residential construction and retrofitting targets alone,” he said.
“Ireland needs people with construction skills and experience to help deliver on ambitious targets for new housing and infrastructure. The National Development Plan outlines a record €275.4 billion in public capital investment, aiming to secure Ireland’s future, to transform the country, unlock housing, upgrade water and energy infrastructure, deliver more roads, and provide better public transport.
“Construction workers are in demand, and there are lots of opportunities for Irish construction workers who have moved abroad and are considering returning.”