Overview

The Irish construction industry had a strong 2025 and has carried that momentum into 2026. Construction output is estimated to have grown by almost 12% in 2025, and the latest EY Euroconstruct forecast (July 2026) expects further growth of 5.3% in 2026 and 5.8% in 2027. That is the strongest outlook of any country in Europe, where the average is closer to 2%.

Housing continues to dominate the national conversation. 36,284 new homes were completed in 2025. That was up 20% on 2024 and the highest annual figure since the CSO series began in 2011, although still short of the Government’s target of 41,000. Completions are ahead again in 2026, and most forecasters now expect around 40,000 homes this year. The concern lies further down the pipeline. Just under 19,000 units were commenced in the first seven months of 2026, well below the
exceptional 50,000-plus commencements recorded in 2024. It is also well short of the 50,000 homes a year needed to meet the Government’s target of 300,000 new homes between 2025 and 2030.

The challenges facing the industry are familiar ones:

  • Shortages of skilled labour across trades and professional services
  • The viability of apartment schemes
  • Planning delays and legal challenges to developments
  • The water, wastewater and grid capacity needed to unlock new development

Modern methods of construction and the drive towards more sustainable, energy-efficient buildings will continue to shape how we build over the coming years.

SCSI Tender Price Index

The latest SCSI Tender Price Index was issued in August 2026. It shows that tender prices rose by 3% nationally in the first half of 2026. That is three times the 1% increase recorded in the second half of 2025 and the largest six-monthly increase in three and a half years. The annual rate now stands at 4%, up from 2.5% for 2025 as a whole. Munster recorded the highest increase at 3.3%, followed by Connacht/Ulster (3%), Dublin (2.5%) and the rest of Leinster (2.3%).

The majority of Chartered Quantity Surveyors pointed to the conflict in the Middle East as the main driver. Its effects are feeding through to oil-based products and supply chains, with notable increases in copper (8.7%), pipes and fittings (7.9%) and PVC pipes (5.4%). Domestically, labour availability and the Sectoral Employment Order wage increase from August 2026 are adding further pressure. Some 84% of surveyors report that the market is in an upswing or at its peak, so we expect tender prices to keep rising into 2027.

BMP

Against this backdrop, BMP is approaching its 60th anniversary in 2028. We continue to retain experienced staff and to recruit and develop young surveyors, so that we keep meeting the high standards of performance we set ourselves. The Irish marketplace is relatively small, and it is vitally important to us that we build on our existing relationships with Design Teams and Clients.

Healthcare remains at the core of our work. At St. James’ Hospital we have completed the phased upgrades to the Burns Unit and the EP Cardiac Catheterisation Laboratory. We are now working on the MRI Upgrade Works at St. James’s and the MV Upgrade Works at Beaumont Hospital.

We are also at the initial stages of a new Vhi 360 Health Centre in Cork, having completed a brilliant facility in Galway last year.

We are delighted to have cut ground, as planned, on two new nursing home developments for Altere Developments in Crumlin and Kilcoole, and both are progressing well on site.

We have retained our long-standing links with Trinity College, with universal access works to Provost’s House and the basement fit-out at Printing House Square. Our public sector work continues to grow, with housing schemes for Meath, Louth and Laois County Councils and
Merchants Quay for Dublin City Council. We are also working on projects for the OPW and on Dublin Fire Brigade’s new Logistics Headquarters in Finglas.

We also continue to excel in Conservation & Restoration projects for a wide array of Clients. These include:

  • The Montpelier Project, Infirmary Road for Dublin City Council (imminent start on site)
  • Magnificent properties on Parnell Square
  • County Archives for Meath County Council at St. Patrick’s Classical School
  • The restoration of Straffan Church
  • The refurbishment of St. Mary’s Pro-Cathedral on Marlborough Street on behalf of the Dublin Diocese, which is just about to start on site
  • Tuam Town Hall
  • Most recently, our appointment by Galway County Council to Tuam Station House

These projects require extra special care from a Quantity Surveyor but are extremely satisfying when you see the finished product.

We have carried out reinstatement valuations for numerous health, agricultural and educational campuses, including the new National Children’s Hospital in Dublin, building on our extensive experience in this area. We also continue to value ecclesiastical properties the length and breadth of the 32 counties.

We are delighted to continue to work with some of the leading main contractors in Ireland, assisting them on many varied projects from data centres to quayside developments and multi-storey residential schemes.

We hope that as a company we keep rising to all these challenges in the next 12 months.

Damien Morgan MSCSI MRICS
Director
Brendan Merry & Partners
October 2026