ACEI Budget Submission: Failure to Reform Procurement Risks Delaying Thousands of Homes and Billions in Infrastructure

The Association of Consulting Engineers of Ireland (ACEI) has issued a critical warning within its recent Budget Submission, identifying the nation's public procurement framework as a significant impediment to economic progress. The organisation asserts that a persistent failure to implement comprehensive reforms risks substantial delays to thousands of new homes and billions of euros in essential infrastructure projects. For senior decision-makers in the construction and investment sectors, this analysis underscores a deteriorating operational environment. The ACEI’s submission implicitly argues that an outdated, often bureaucratic, system prioritises process over efficiency, hindering the agile deployment of capital and resources. Such inefficiencies not only escalate project timelines but also contribute to increased costs, potentially compromising Ireland's ambitious housing and infrastructure targets. The broader economic implications include diminished competitiveness, reduced foreign direct investment appeal, and sustained inflationary pressures within a critical sector. This imperative for reform extends beyond administrative adjustments, demanding a strategic pivot towards value-based procurement models that foster innovation and unlock the capacity required to meet national development objectives. Without decisive government action to modernise these foundational processes, the industry faces prolonged uncertainty and significant bottlenecks to sustainable growth and strategic planning. Read More