Chair of CIF Cork branch Cian O’Mahony with Joanne Treacy, CIF Director Southern and Eastern Regions and Declan Jordan, Professor of Economics, Cork University Business School, UCC (speaker) at the launch of the CIF Southern Construct Summit. Photo: Brian Lougheed

Interest building in construction event

Niamh Aine Ryan

Published: Wed 14 May 2025, 1:35 PM

Last updated: Wed 14 May 2025, 1:37 PM

An event taking place next week will focus on digital development, AI, funding for future housing developments and infrastructure.

Called Elevating Cork, it is being organised by the Construction Industry Federation (CIF) Cork branch who want to shine a light on the opportunities and challenges for the construction industry in Ireland and particularly the southern region.

The summit looks to Europe and the UK for international benchmarks, with the UK’s Deputy Chair of the National Infrastructure & Service Transformation Authority Julie Prescot CBE to discuss how policy landscape influences investment, and incentives and business models to attract sustainable funding for long term economic growth in the sector.

The EU Commissioner for Democracy, Justice, the Rule of Law and Consumer Protection, Michael McGrath will discuss housing from a European perspective, and how EU policy is adapting to changing demographics and housing needs incorporating AI, energy efficiency and financing instruments.

Speaking ahead of the summit, Joanne Treacy, CIF Director Southern & Eastern Regions said: “The Southern Construct Summit is a must-attend event for businesses and stakeholders in Cork. With a wide range of international, national and regional speakers, this event will discuss key issues the we face in the Region to developing a vibrant, attractive and excellent place to invest, work and live.”

Various stakeholders will be there on the day such as RESPOND, the Land Development Agency, Construction Industry Register Ireland as well as Cork City Council, Cork County Council, University College Cork and the CETB. Meanwhile, representatives across the sector from Dornan Engineering, O’Flynn Group, Construct Innovate, Clancy Construction, Freefoam Building Products, Sherry Fitzgerald and several others will provide insights on key topics during the day.

As the CIF marks its 90th year anniversary in 2025, the CIF President Stephen McCarthy will share the impact of the organisation for the sector, and the economy of the regions and country.

The Southern Construct Summit will take place on 22 May at Clayton Hotel Silversprings Cork. For more information. see southernconstruct.ie.