Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 5 October 2023
271. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the extent to which he might encourage the use of wooden or modular housing to meet the ever-increasing needs in both urban and rural settings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43438/23]
View answerModern methods of construction (MMC) is a key way of helping to address Ireland’s housing needs, be they urban or rural. Modular and timber are key components within the range of MMC categories. MMC has the potential to increase productivity and efficiency, improve delivery, and reduce cost and waste in construction.
Coordination of activities to promote MMC adoption is being led under Housing for All by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, which now chairs an interdepartmental MMC Leadership and Integration Group to drive government supported MMC-relevant initiatives.
These include:
• The ConstructInnovate construction technology research centre
• The National Demonstration Park for MMC
• The Build Digital project
• The Built to Innovate awareness campaign
• A Public Procurement Roadmap for MMC
• An Introductory Guide to MMC for the non-technical reader/general public to enhance consistency of understanding and the use of MMC terminology
• Training for industry and procurers in MMC
My Department is also facilitating MMC adoption in public housing. Additional resources have been deployed to support local authority delivery and my Department is working with local authorities to delivery approximately 1500 dwellings using Modern Methods of Construction through the Accelerated Housing Delivery programme. A specific focus for the Housing Agency is to incorporate MMC into the social housing build programme, and a guidance document now exists for the provision of “design and build” housing projects using MMC.
In addition to these measures a Timber in Construction Working Group has been established. This Group, which will bring together a range of industry expertise, will be tasked with examining conditions to increase the use of timber in construction. Timber is an important Modern Method of Construction and helps to improve the delivery of new housing whilst at the same time increasing the sustainability of materials used. My Department will actively participate in this Group.
