Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 10 October 2023
272. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on any plans he and his Department have to utilise modular homes in order to meet housing demand in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43692/23]
View answerModern methods of construction (MMC) is a key way of helping to address Ireland’s housing needs. Modular components fall within the scope 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.
