Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 14 December 2022
91. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the progress that is being made with the roll-out of rapid build housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62600/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraHousing for All is the Government’s plan to increase the supply of housing to an average of 33,000 per year over the next decade. This includes an average of 10,000 new build social homes each year in the period to 2030. Housing for All is supported by an investment package of over €4bn per annum, through an overall combination of €12bn in direct Exchequer funding, €3.5bn in funding through the Land Development Agency and €5bn funding through the Housing Finance Agency.
Modern methods of construction (MMC) has been identified as a key measure to address increased housing delivery and methods to support increased use of MMC are set out in Pathway 5 of Housing for All. The development of MMC will improve productivity in construction and increase efficiency in residential construction. The development of MMC is being led by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment which has established a MMC Leadership and Integration Group and my Department is represented on this Group. This Group is ensuring the cohesive integration and coordination of the various Government supported MMC initiatives. These initiatives include:
- The establishment of a multi-location Construction Technology Centre, consortium led by the University of Galway;
- A new Demonstration Park for MMC at Mount Lucas, operated by Laois Offaly Enterprise and Training Board; and
- The National Construction Training Centre at Mount Lucas,
Under Housing for All, the Government will deliver an average of 10,000 new build social homes each year in the period 2022-2030. The Housing for All Action Plan Update and Quarter 3 2022 Progress Report, which was published on 2 November, includes a new action to develop a roadmap with targets for increased use of MMC in public housing. My Department is now working closely with the local authorities to increase the use of MMC in social and affordable housing. The Government has agreed to the allocation of €100m to pay down loans on sites which can deliver social housing projects linked to accelerated delivery, which will include the use of MMC.
My Department publishes the Social Housing Construction Status Report (CSR). The CSR provides details of social housing developments that have been completed, are under construction or are progressing through the various stages of the design and pre-tender process. This includes developments being delivered through Rapid/Design Build construction. The most recent publication was for Q2 2022. The report is available at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/publication/5a259-social-housing-construction-projects-status-report-q2-2022/. Data for Quarter 3 is being finalised and will be published shortly.
A version of the CSR file can also be downloaded for analysis at the link below: data.gov.ie/dataset/social-housing-construction-status-report-q2-2022?package_type=dataset.
