Digitalisation is expected to reshape project delivery across Ireland’s construction industry as another 12 months of growth is forecast for 2026.
Investment in critical infrastructure is predicted to unlock a significant pipeline of civil engineering and commercial projects, and although house building has seen a slowdown since 2024, policy certainty in the new national housing plan is likely to result in activity picking up pace in the year ahead.
With labour shortages continuing to prove a challenge to the progress and cost of project delivery, advanced construction technology specialist SITECH UK & Ireland believes companies investing in digital systems and advanced machinery controls will have the edge in driving efficient and productive outcomes.
Alex Gadd, Head of SITECH UK & Ireland, said: “On the back of three years of increased construction output across Ireland, new policy interventions will help to maintain the momentum in 2026.
“At the heart of the sector growth lie themes such as sustainability, a deepening of retrofit efforts and the transition to green energy; a spike in demand for housing; return to office mandates driving workplace upgrades; addressing infrastructure needs to improve economic competitiveness; and the modernisation of education facilities.
“But there are still delivery challenges to overcome, not least shortages in the construction workforce. To meet the needs of these complex project specifications and implement effective, speedy and safe solutions, construction companies need to look towards technology to mitigate the skills shortage.
“At SITECH UK & Ireland, we expect to see further interest and take-up of connected technologies like automatic horizontal steering augmentation, which can enhance operator expertise, allow operators to work faster and with more confidence, and all while reducing material wastage and rework.
“The most resilient, innovative and future-orientated companies will be at the forefront of Ireland’s construction opportunities in 2026 as they see the potential in investing in technology to enhance workforce development.”
In October 2025, Jack Chambers, Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation, announced a €19.1 billion allocation for capital investment, an increase of €2 billion on 2025. The funding is designed to support the building of thousands of new social housing units; major water infrastructure projects and flood relief schemes; energy resilience projects and investment across the transport, health, education, justice, arts and sport sectors.
The Construction Industry Federation, the Irish construction sector’s representative body, has warned that while there is a strong, long-term pipeline thanks to two major Government strategies, ‘Delivering Homes, Building Communities 2025–2030’ and the ‘Action Plan on Accelerating Infrastructure’, construction companies need certainty to scale up operations.
Alex said: “The funding is there and the policy underscores the State’s intention to accelerate delivery of these capital investment schemes.
“While the construction industry is waiting for details of specific projects to be announced, this is the ideal window to invest in digital solutions to scale, sustain and strengthen specialist construction services.
“Construction technology can be the differentiation when it comes to performing safely, efficiently and accurately. An investment in innovation is an investment in capacity and for ambitious companies embracing technology can actively support growth in 2026.”
