Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 4 May 2022
175. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if steps are being taken to adopt modular building material methods with off-site manufacture of modules in order to speed up the construction time of needed housing. [21698/22]
View answerComprehensive steps are being taken towards modular construction methods as part of my Department's cross-cutting strategy to improve productivity in construction and thereby accelerate delivery of housing.
Housing for All commits that the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, supported by my Department, will promote a culture of innovation in residential construction. This will be achieved through measures including , the development of Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) and the establishment of a Centre of Excellence Demonstration Park for MMC and development of design for manufacture guidance for industry.
Housing for All also provides that Government will enhance the intended role of the new Construction Technology Centre (CTC), which is under development by Enterprise Ireland, beyond the standard remit of Technology Centres in general for its first three years of operation in order to prioritise residential construction, in particular by incorporating:
- structures and funding to enable innovation in residential construction prior to the National Standards Authority of Ireland
- a proactive role in strengthening the residential construction value chain;
- promotion, development and support for innovation / MMCs using digital and manufacturing technology;
- support for Small Medium Enterprises to develop scale and to adopt MMCs and Building Information Modelling techniques for residential construction; and
- support for digitisation in the manufacturing sector for residential construction e.g. digitally controlled manufacturing equipment.
On conclusion of the International and National Technical Review process, a preferred bidder for the CTC has been identified. Enterprise Ireland are now developing contracts with this entity with an expectation that these contracts will be signed in Summer 2022.
In addition Housing for All commits that the State will continue to increase funding for residential construction related innovation and productivity. It will work with industry to strengthen the residential construction supply chain and to introduce MMC.
