The Celtic tiger economy has produced a boom in Ireland's residential sector. Robert Smith of Hays Montrose looks at the impact on salaries and benefits
Construction in Ireland is experiencing so much growth that contractors across the spectrum have more than enough work to keep them busy. Many clients are looking for top construction professionals in a variety of fields to meet their ever-increasing workload, but the need is particularly high in the residential sector.

The Irish government made a commitment to develop the country's infrastructure and deal with the housing shortage a number of years ago. Following this much-needed injection of cash, many regeneration and building projects began and there is still more work than ever in the busy sector.

Salaries across the board dramatically increased in Ireland between 1999-2001, in line with the growing strength of the economy overall. In 2002 they continued to increase, but at a slower rate. Salaries in the residential housing sector have increased more than any other, with quantity surveyors experiencing biggest increases.

The typical salary for senior quantity surveyors is now €48,300 (£33,800) in Ireland, up from last year's figure of €45,450 (£31,800). At 6.3%, this increase is higher than the 5.4% increase to QS salaries in the UK. Benefits typically include a company car, bonus and pension scheme and a health package.

Hays Montrose consultants throughout Ireland have found more and more clients looking for candidates with experience on large apartment blocks or housing projects. But as in the UK, there is a real shortage of mid-ranking technical professionals. Those in the highest demand are engineers and site managers with a minimum of five years' experience, and quantity surveyors with solid residential project experience are also in short supply. Site agents' salaries have increased accordingly, up almost 6.4% from €42,300 (£29,600) last year to €45,000 (£31,500) and including a company car, bonus and pension scheme.

Shane Little, office manager at Hays Montrose Dublin, says that the residential sector also offers good finishing bonuses per house, which can be a lucrative perk. This is in contrast to the benefits offered by most construction companies in Ireland. "There has been very little change in the benefits candidates are receiving overall," says Little. "Ireland is generally behind the UK in terms of pensions, health schemes and other benefits."

Little expects recruitment of permanent staff to remain stable, but anticipates an increase in the amount of labour hire and temporary contracts in future. "The shortages have meant companies are more willing to accept contract staff, and many temps will remain in the same position for more than six months, some for even years at a time."

Allan Daly of Hays Montrose Cork says it is the same across the region. "We are in a very candidate-driven market where employers need to adapt to the growing skills shortages. Companies are finding they need to be more flexible than ever if they want to fill roles, especially when it comes to quantity surveyors."

"We haven't found any roles with an over supply of candidates at the moment," says Daly. "There is a demand for all 'good' construction professionals, and those with the right experience are easy to place. Managers and intermediate surveyors are the most difficult positions to fill as companies are crying out for them. In the past we recruited extensively in South Africa to combat the skills shortages but right now we're targeting Irish nationals in the UK who might consider relocating home."