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Earlier this week the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform published the annual BUILD report.

Build 2020 gives an important – and timely – update on the construction sector since non-essential sites reopened on May 18th. While the full impacts of the pandemic are still unknown, this report gives an overview of general trends in the sector. 

Significantly, Build 2020 shares the latest public investment plans, which is particularly relevant given the announcement this week of the July stimulus package that includes a ‘significant increase in public investment for shovel ready projects’. Public capital expenditure is planned to increase by 12 percent in 2021 to over €9.1 billion.

Reports like this are important for a number of reasons, including informing the government and the construction sector on the performance of the industry as a whole by assessing the industry’s capacity, as well as highlighting possible constraints, risks and opportunities.

In welcoming the publication of this report, Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Michael McGrath noted that “An efficient and sustainable construction sector is more necessary than ever in order to deliver the increased level of housing and infrastructure that will be required to support the country’s recovery from Covid-19”.

Here at Horizon Offsite, we have been advocating for a more efficient and sustainable approach to construction. In fact, our team is currently working with the main contractor to deliver 30 social housing units for Wicklow County Council at Soldier’s Bench in Carnew, County Wicklow.

The project scope was to deliver 10 two-storey, three-bedroom homes suitable for up to five people, 12 two-storey houses and eight 1-bedroom bungalows, all sustainably designed and constructed to a high standard to ensure NZEB compliance. From the facility in Cahir, County Tipperary, Horizon Offsite designed and manufactured panelised light gauge steel frame walls, floor and roof structure with varying degree of finishes. 

Due to Covid-19 restrictions, the planned start on site was delayed and when construction re- commenced in mid-May, the four blocks of two-storey were erected to roof level in three weeks.

The site is currently being completed and is on track to meet the scheduled completion date. 


About Horizon Offsite

Established in 2017, the team at Horizon Offsite have decades of combined experience pioneering non-traditional or modern methods of construction (MMC). The company currently employs 22 people at a 35,000 sq ft. facility in Cahir, County Tipperary and is involved in projects across the private rented sector (PRS) in Ireland and the UK.