9:00

Introduction & Opening Remarks 

9:05

Scene Setting with CIF President

9:15

Government Address

9:30

Safety and Skills Outlook 2021

Safety was the critical issue throughout 2020 as the industry successfully operated safely and at near full capacity in the teeth of the pandemic.  As the pandemic, hopefully, is managed, traditional safety issues remain critically important.  This panel will feature some of the leading proponents of safety in the CIF who will discuss how the industry can continue to put safety at the center of everything it does.

10:00

PANEL DISCUSSION:

Specialist Contracting and Innovation

Innovation is the springboard for two of the industry’s biggest opportunities – productivity and climate change. The industry has to innovate to improve productivity in collaborating with its public and private sector clients. Relatedly, the industry must innovate to enhance its contribution to climate change and sustainability by ‘greening’ and delivering buildings with minimal life cycle impacts on the environment. This panel will discuss how to ensure that innovation diffuses the entire supply chain to the benefit of the industry, the exchequer and the citizens.

10:30

Networking & Exhibition Viewing

10:45

PANEL DISCUSSION:

Industrial Relations Outlook

Industrial relations will continue to grow in importance throughout 2021 as industry, government and unions increasingly collaborate in resolving societal challenges such as Covid. With the industry potentially facing a growth phase due to increasing investment in public infrastructure and housing, the potential for several IR issues to arise is manifested. This panel will provide an outlook as to how the CIF will approach these issues in the coming months

11:15

PANEL DISCUSSION:

Housing and Development Outlook

Housing supply will continue to be the long-term political issue for the duration of this government. Challenges to the delivery of the 36,000 houses per year required to sustain our population and economy remain stubbornly extant. The CIF has consistently identified logjams in the State’s delivery mechanism that must be resolved. Initiatives such as the First Time Buyer Grant and the Shared Equity Scheme will improve supply but only if other barriers such as the exigencies of the planning system can be resolved. Listen to our experts set out how to solve Ireland’s housing crisis.

11:45

Networking & Exhibition Viewing

12:00

PANEL DISCUSSION:

Regional Outlook

Dynamic regions are essential to the future of the Irish economy and society. The vision of Project Ireland 2040, the Government’s spatial strategy, is that Cork, Limerick and Galway grow at twice the rate of Dublin over the next 20 years. Our expert panel will outline exactly how challenging this target is and how every month that passes without progress on regional projects in 2021 will make the 2040 vision less likely.

12:30

PANEL DISCUSSION:

Main Contracting, Tendering and Procurement 2021

The working relationship between industry and its largest client, the Public Sector (37% by value), is critical to the delivery of infrastructure and housing. More effective collaboration between industry and Government combined with modern forms of procurement and contract are critical. This panel will outline what changes will lead to the most progress in these critical areas throughout 2021.

13:00

Closing Remarks