Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 November 2025
654. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of homes expected to be built using modern methods of construction and modular delivery from 2025 to 2030; and how these methods will reduce reliance on traditional labour capacity. [63928/25]
View answerDelivering Home, building Communities 2025-2030 contains a range of actions to increase skills and support Modern Methods of Construction (MMC). MMC is the term used to describe a range of compliant manufacturing and innovative construction alternatives to traditional construction.
Some key actions include:
• Use MMC in at least 25% of all new social and affordable homes built during the lifetime of the Plan.
• Increase the use of 3D Volumetric via funding and support for pathfinder projects in Limerick and Wexford.
• Optimise the process towards NSAI Agrément Certification.
• Scope potential for the development of an Irish Standard for Light Gauge Steel.
• Promote opportunities for MMC manufacturers to use ISIF backed funds to support new and existing factories.
• The Local Authority Accelerated Delivery Programme continues to deliver at least 1500 MMC units across Local Authorities
Work has commenced on the collection of MMC data in the Building Control Management System based on commencement notices for new dwellings which will provide specific quantitative data. It is expected that the analysis of this data will be available in the coming months to inform MMC and Modular delivery policy and targets.
The 2025 update to the Report on the Analysis of Skills for Residential Construction and Retrofitting published by the Minister for Further and Higher Education Research Innovation and Science estimates that 10,000 fewer new entrants will be required in the construction sector if there is widespread adoption of Modern Methods of Construction (MMC). Almost 69,000 new entrants will be needed in this scenario, compared to almost 79,000 if there is continued use of more traditional building methods.
