Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 3 October 2023
508. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department has engaged with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage in relation to the future of timber supply for house construction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42703/23]
View answerIrelands forests provide an important supply of timber for our construction sector. The most recent forecast submitted to my Department estimates that annual roundwood production will increase from around 4 million cubic metres now to nearly 7 million cubic metres by 2035. This significant increase in supply is mainly driven from private forests, grant aided since the 1990s, that are now reaching maturity. My Department and other Departments recognise the importance of using timber in construction which can play an important role in meeting our climate targets. Using more timber in construction decarbonises our built environment by replacing materials made from fossil fuels.
In response to our climate targets my Department has engaged with other Departments, including the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, to establish an Interdepartmental and Industry Steering Group on Timber in Construction. Minister of State Hackett announced an expression of interest call to join this new group and the chair of this group will be announced next week. This new group will examine a range of areas including markets, regulation and standards which will aim to increase the amount of timber used in house construction..
