'Inadequate supply of affordable housing' an impediment to Kilkenny and South-East region
Ibec, the group that represents Irish business, says capacity constraints and labour supply are the key challenges facing business growth in the South-East.
The group said that there must be greater focus by the Government on enhancing quality of life issues such as housing and infrastructure which are driving labour shortages in the region.
The call came as Ibec hosted leading voices in regional business at Mount Juliet Estate Hotel in Kilkenny as part of its Regional Insights Series.
Ibec’s Head of Regional Policy Helen Leahy said that Ibec’s vision for the South-East is to realise its potential to become a globally competitive location.
"An inadequate supply of affordable housing is now the single largest impediment to attracting and retaining talented workers, without whom business investment and expansions are not possible," she noted.
“Labour shortages are a real concern for businesses in the region. People decide where to live and work based on quality of life and access to high quality services and amenities.
“Industry tends to follow talent, and in this regard, the region needs to have all the building blocks in place as the attraction and retention of world-class talent becomes increasingly competitive on a global level.”
Amongst Ibec’s priorities for the South-East include:
Addressing housing and infrastructure challenges;
Adapting businesses to the new economic realities;
Enhancing capacity and skillsets to achieve sustainable development objectives;
Investment in people and skills;
Creating competitive advantage through digitalisation;
Innovation as a key driver of productivity growth;
A targeted and sufficient capital investment programme for the TUSE to be a regional driver of economic growth and innovation;
A fresh take on the drivers of economic prosperity.