Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 12 June 2025
382. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans to ensure that State policies support the collaborative development of standard house and apartment types to drive efficiency, reduce costs and support viability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31413/25]
View answerMy Department has embedded the requirement to adopt a standardised approach for all Social Housing projects through adoption of the Design Manual for Quality Housing and Employers Requirements. This is promoting a consistent approach nationally; it is decreasing the amount of time spent on reviewing proposals to achieve value for money; it is shortening detailed design phases; and it allows for a more efficient tender process.
In addition, under Priority Action 11 of Housing for All 2023 Update my Department has developed the Standardised Design Approaches Study in collaboration with key stakeholders and industry. It is shortly intended to publish standardised approaches to the design of housing to include the development of standardised dwelling types and standardised specifications, including for building services, with the aim of reducing the cost of construction and supporting the adoption of Modern Methods of Construction. The publication of this study will be supported by a dissemination strategy and will raise awareness and promote adoption of standardised housing design.
