Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 July 2023
411. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will report on the work being done by the interdepartmental group on modern methods of construction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37143/23]
View answerMore widespread adoption of Modern Methods of Construction (MMC), an umbrella term for a range of innovative construction processes, is an important pillar of the Government’s approach in Housing for All to increase innovation adoption and productivity in construction, and to deliver housing as efficiently as possible, and in a compliant and environmentally sustainable way.
In July 2022, in collaboration with a number of Government Departments, my Department established the Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) Leadership and Integration Group.
This Group is an overarching leadership mechanism to ensure integration and coordination across a range of existing and emerging MMC relevant entities and initiatives under Housing for All, including but not limited to: the forthcoming Demonstration Park for MMC at Mount Lucas being developed by Solas and Laois-Offaly Education and Training Board; the 'Construct Innovate' Technology Centre and the 'Built to Innovate' suite of business supports for residential construction, supported by my Department through Enterprise Ireland; and the Build Digital Project hosted by TU Dublin and supported by DPENDPDR.
The overriding ambition of the Group is to ensure that there is a robust framework in place that will enable the residential construction sector to rapidly evolve and transform with the adoption of new technology and MMC applications that make best use of available resources and expertise.
With the assistance of the Modern Methods of Construction Leadership and Integration Group, my Department, along with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage developed and recently published a 'Roadmap for the increased adoption of Modern Methods of Construction in Public Housing Delivery'. This was a deliverable under Housing for All for Quarter 2 this year.
The Group's Terms of Reference, Agendas and Minutes are regularly published on my Department's website.
