Ireland faces a shortfall of 70,000 construction-related roles needed to deliver its ambitious housing targets by 2030. To address this, the Government has launched a revamped “Build Back Home” campaign, inviting Irish construction professionals worldwide to return. Social media adverts in English and Gaeilge are targeting cities including Sydney, New York, and Toronto.

The campaign is backed by research into the motivations and concerns of Irish construction workers abroad. Findings suggest challenges such as difficult visa renewals, complex administrative processes, and doubts over whether overseas experience will be valued. The Government aims to counter these barriers by offering guidance on career opportunities, upskilling, reskilling, and reintegration into Irish life.

Profiles of recent returnees illustrate the campaign’s appeal. Billy McGregor, a site engineer from Vancouver, emphasised the cultural differences on-site in Ireland and the opportunity to settle down with family. Stone mason Cian Lanigan, returning after nine years abroad, highlighted proximity to friends and family and a renewed appreciation for Ireland. Their experiences suggest that personal factors, alongside professional growth, are key drivers for repatriation.

This initiative signals a potential boost in construction capacity, design delivery, and project execution across the country. As returning professionals rejoin the workforce, Ireland’s building and architectural sectors may benefit from expanded expertise, knowledge transfer, and renewed innovation.

The campaign underscores a broader challenge: aligning workforce development with Ireland’s housing and infrastructure goals. For the architecture and construction industries, the availability of skilled talent will be a decisive factor in meeting national targets efficiently and sustainably.

Discover how the “Build Back Home” campaign could reshape Ireland’s construction and architectural landscape.