Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 6 July 2023
42. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department has given consideration to the use of 3D printing technology and its possible benefits to the current problems with housing construction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33036/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraHas the Minister given consideration to the use of 3D concrete printing and its possible benefits in the context of the current problems with housing construction? Obviously, he has engaged with the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Deputy Coveney. Louth and Meath Education and Training Board, LMETB, had a printing operation in Drogheda. Are there plans in this regard? It is not a silver bullet but, alongside modular housing, it can provide answers. Are there plans in County Louth in particular?
I thank the Deputy. We have reached Question No. 42, given there have been so many others missing right the way through.
We have been busy.
As regards modern methods of construction, MMC, I brought a cost-of-construction report to Cabinet a few weeks ago and published it. It is a comparative between costs in Ireland, those in five other EU countries and those in Britain. The report highlights the practice as well. We are looking at the MMC piece. I have a further report to bring to Cabinet. This year and next, 1,500 social homes will be delivered solely through MMC. That includes all steps from design right through to off-site construction.
We have identified a couple of encumbered sites in County Louth, as the Deputy is aware. The council had bought the sites but money was owing on them and it could not develop them. I have taken that debt off those sites on the basis that they will be delivered using MMC. Two weeks ago, Glenveagh Properties opened a new off-site construction facility at the old Braun factory in Carlow. It will be able to produce a home every 20 minutes. I have visited other companies throughout the country as well. This is the way forward, particularly in terms of ensuring quality efficiency and from a carbon perspective. It is a matter we are not just looking at but will actively be implementing. We are setting up the construction technology centre at Mount Lucas. Several universities will feed into that. It will deal with design and production using the best methods available. Thankfully, there are many Irish companies and developments, such as Church Fields in Mulhuddart, where more than 1,000 homes are being built through MMC practices.
