Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 January 2026
1076. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the amount his Department has spent on advertising abroad aimed at encouraging Irish citizens to return home, broken down by year for 2024, 2025, and to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3791/26]
View answerIreland 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. Between now and 2030, Ireland needs between 69,000 -79,000 additional construction sector workers to help deliver on ambitious targets for residential construction and retrofitting targets alone.
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.
The campaign was developed following research including feedback from Irish construction workers abroad, that skills they developed abroad may not be valued at home.
The campaign ran for two weeks in October 2024 in Canada and Australia, total campaign spend in 2024 was €166,889.
The campaign also ran for seven weeks from October 2025, across Canada, Australia and the US, with planned campaign spend of €277,055.
|
Build Back Home Campaign |
2024 |
2025 |
|
Total spend |
€166,889 |
€277,055 |
