In this blog, I will look to address two key concerns across the sector:

· That consulting engineering firms are not doing qualifying R&D activity

· Submitting an R&D tax claim will act as a beachhead for Revenue into your business

At this year’s ACEI conference, President Tim Murnane suggested that every consulting engineering company in Ireland should be claiming R&D Tax Credits. And yet, many still believe that their work is simply ‘business as usual’ and therefore not eligible for R&D relief. But the truth is that if you’re solving technical problems, testing design alternatives, or developing tools your competitors don’t have, you very likely are doing R&D, and that means you’re completely entitled to make a claim. It’s all too common to think of lab work and white coats when hearing the words ‘research and development’, but the R&D Tax Credit isn’t just for scientists conducting test tube experiments. It’s also for engineering professionals who solve real-world problems.

Engineers drive innovation. Whether by finding a new way to integrate low-carbon materials, developing proprietary analysis tools, or designing an innovative structural system to meet a complex brief, engineers are constantly breaking new ground in a way that’s very likely to qualify as R&D.

It’s important to stress that R&D Tax Credits can be hugely valuable, allowing companies to claim up to 30% of qualifying expenditure (rising to 35% next year). Eligible projects can receive a tax credit on things like staff costs, overheads, raw materials and other expenses that are directly linked to your R&D activity. It all adds up, and in a challenging cost environment, can lead to a significant financial benefit. What about Revenue enquiries?

Another barrier to claiming is when companies fear the level of scrutiny they may face. To paraphrase a few conversations that I’ve had recently: ‘If we make a claim, aren’t we basically just inviting Revenue to crack open the books on our whole business?’

Let’s clear this up right now: that’s a complete myth. On the rare occasion that Revenue has raised an enquiry, Revenue will ask to see the

technical information that relates specifically to your R&D claim. As long as everything is properly documented and substantiated, then the enquiry is closed.

We know this from experience. At Leyton Ireland, we’ve supported 180 clients (including more than 25 ACEI member firms), helping them to prepare and submit their R&D Tax Credit claims. Around 120 of these companies are now in their second or third year of claiming, which just goes to show how accessible the scheme is. So, if you’re worried about an enquiry, the best advice is to speak to the experts.

Since launching in Ireland, we’ve supported more than 450 claims, and only six of these have resulted in a Level 1 enquiry (that’s just 1.3%). When this happens, we assist our clients by defending claims to make sure that they stand up to all scrutiny. Every single enquiry we’ve defended was positively resolved without any adjustment to what had originally been claimed. That’s a testament to the rigour of our technical team and our collaborative process.

We embed ourselves within organisations, speaking to key R&D project members such as design leads, directors, project engineers or anyone else who was directly involved in the effort. We do this so that we can build a clear narrative for Revenue that’s both compliant and defensible from the start.

Don’t just take it from me. One of our longstanding clients, EDC Consulting Engineers, recently shared:

“After every claim, we feel we’re a little bit wiser about the claims process, thanks to Leyton’s guidance. Over our time working together, Leyton has helped us better understand how to identify R&D projects and what is needed to prepare successful R&D Tax Credit claims.

We do very little of the work ourselves. Leyton handles most of the claim preparation process, which saves us a lot of time and hassle.”

Not sure if your work qualifies as R&D?

To be eligible for relief, there needs to have been systematic investigation in the face of a scientific or technological uncertainty. Most engineering projects that seek to make an advancement have a good chance of qualifying, but sometimes the technical jargon needs to be translated into a language that Revenue understands. That’s where we can help.

As a strategic partner of the ACEI, we work with engineering firms to uncover qualifying projects, before helping them to submit their claims with complete confidence.

We know that there’s huge pressure on the sector to deliver sustainable, efficient and digitally enabled solutions, but that’s exactly what’s driving innovation, much of which

qualifies for relief. And if you’re not claiming for that R&D, you’re leaving money on the table.

Yes, Revenue’s process is robust, but with the right guidance you can claim confidently (and compliantly) with a clear return to show for your hard work.

If you’re still not sure whether your work qualifies, we’ll be more than happy to have an initial conversation to discuss your eligibility for claiming. You’ve got nothing to lose, and nothing to fear.

— Darragh Gaffney is Head of R&D Incentives at Leyton Ireland. He leads a multidisciplinary team that has helped builders, engineers and innovators unlock over €300 million worth of R&D Tax Credits annually.

More information can be found here: Leyton Ireland | Boost Your Business Growth with our R&D Tax Credits services

“We welcome the Government’s infrastructure ambition, but today’s Budget must now be coupled with a bonfire of the redtape that is strangling housing and infrastructure delivery.  Without this, a large proportion of the €116bn announced for infrastructure will evaporate due to delays, judicial reviews, and legal disputes.

We need to see — in full — the forthcoming report on removing barriers to infrastructure delivery in the regulatory system, and we must quickly move to put its recommendations into practice. The real test will be in how that report is deployed not the figures mentioned today.

In particular, reform of public sector procurement and tendering is essential.  Precluding the selection of the lowest bid and focussing on quality in public procurement will see better delivery, less delays and better turns across the lifeycle of projects.

Better contracting models, fairer risk sharing, earlier engagement between public clients and engineering firms, will see less of today’s investment diverted to legal issues and disputes.

The engineering sector stands ready to help design, deliver and maintain Ireland’s critical infrastructure — but Government policy must focus now on ensuring that funding commitments translate into delivered projects on the ground.”

1. Make the ministerial report public immediately, including draft timelines for implementation and sectoral impact assessments.
2. Embed procurement reform as a core component of delivery acceleration — including reducing overly burdensome procurement cycles, limiting repeated rounds of retendering, and ensuring transparent risk allocation.
3. Lock in statutory or administrative timelines for decision-making across planning, environmental, grid and statutory approvals, with clear accountability and sanctions for delays.
4. Limit the scope of judicial review appeals in clearly designated strategic infrastructure projects, while preserving fair access to challenge in appropriate contexts.
5. Provide certainty in multi-annual funding to support multi-year projects and avoid stop / start cycles in delivery capacity.
6. Build delivery capacity in the public sector – more project management resources, specialist procurement units, and better coordination across ministries and State Agencies.

Leyton, the global consultancy specialising in innovation funding, has appointed Darragh Gaffney as its new Irish Lead. This strategic move strengthens Leyton’s presence in Ireland, positioning the country as both an exciting step and a key hub in the firm’s international growth journey.

With over 25 years of experience supporting businesses to innovate through R&D tax credits, grant funding, and incentive schemes, Leyton has helped thousands of companies unlock financial value and reinvest in growth. Darragh’s appointment builds on this global expertise, ensuring Irish businesses can access world-class support while connecting more closely with Leyton’s international network.

Darragh brings a strong record of impact across the Irish innovation landscape. Previously R&D Director at Monaghan Biosciences and Director of Growth at the Industry Research & Development Group (IRDG), he has supported hundreds of businesses in securing millions of euros in innovation supports. He combines deep technical knowledge and funding expertise with a passion for sustainability and the circular economy.

Brian Graham, UK & Ireland Managing Director at Leyton, commented: “Ireland is an exciting step in Leyton’s international growth journey, and the appointment of Darragh is a pivotal appointment for our success in this market. His expertise and leadership will help establish Ireland as a hub for innovation support and a bridge to our wider global ambitions.”

Alongside his new role, Darragh sits on the Board of Natural Capital Ireland, further reinforcing Leyton’s commitment to environmental and sustainable innovation.

Commenting on his appointment, Darragh said: “I’m proud to join a company with global reach and a clear mission to help businesses innovate better. Ireland has immense potential to benefit from R&D tax credits and grant funding, and Leyton is uniquely placed to make those opportunities easier and more accessible for companies ready to grow.”

As part of a major lighting upgrade, SNBTS partnered with MITIE Lighting and Dextra Group to deliver a solution that balances sustainability, operational reliability, and minimal disruption to vital clinical services.

Read the full article here.

Cian Long, an Arup bridge engineer with a track record of design work in complex infrastructure, has won the Excellence in Engineering award at the 2025 EFCA Future Leaders’ Competition.

Cian’s nomination was submitted by the Association of Consulting Engineers of Ireland (ACEI), a member association of EFCA. The award was presented during the EFCA General Assembly and Conference, held in Luxembourg between 14-17 May.
Cian, who joined Arup in 2013, was honoured for his leadership and technical expertise on the New Harbor Bridge in Texas – a 506m main span precast segmental cable-stayed structure spanning the Corpus Christi Shipping Channel.

Now in its 16th edition, the EFCA Future Leaders’ Competition recognises young professionals under the age of 35 who exemplify leadership, innovation and excellence within Europe’s consulting engineering sector.

As a senior member of the project leadership team, he oversaw global structural analysis, superstructure design and construction engineering support, ensuring adherence to safety, durability and sustainability standards.

Over the past decade, Cian has significantly contributed to Arup’s bridge design team, with notable projects including the Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Bridge in Ireland and Kirjalansalmi Bridge in Finland. His ability to manage multidisciplinary teams across continents, design codes and time zones has distinguished him as a leader capable of navigating the intricate demands of modern infrastructure delivery.

Speaking about his award win, Cian Long, Associate, Bridges and Civil Structures at Arup, said, “Receiving this award is a tremendous honour and a reflection of the incredible team I’ve had the privilege to work with. Our goal has always been to push the boundaries of bridge engineering through innovative, sustainable solutions. I am proud to have played a role in creating infrastructure that will serve communities long into the future.”

Cian’s recognition highlights his dedication to creating resilient infrastructure solutions.

Commending Cian’s award win, ACEI’s Director General, Shane Dempsey, said, “Cian’s achievement is a remarkable endorsement of his capabilities and integrity. He fully deserves to be recognised as a future leader of the European consulting engineering sector; his work shows he is leading our sector today into that future. It should be a great source of pride for our sector that a young Irish engineer has been awarded this prestigious European award. Indeed, Ireland had four entries at European level – showing that, as ever, we can compete on a global stage. Well done to Cian and the team at Arup for their ongoing work that reflects so well on the Irish consulting engineering sector.”

Tim Murnane, ACEI President, congratulated Cian, saying, “This is a fantastic achievement for Cian, Arup and consulting engineering in Ireland. This recognition of the excellence of Cian’s work, at European level, is wonderful and Cian now takes his place in a very long line of outstanding bridge engineers from Arup. I wish Cian all the best in his future career”.

Luxembourg – Leading voices from the European built environment design community came together
on the 15th of May for the joint conference “Architects + Engineers: Partnership for Resilient Design”.

Read about it here.