Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 October 2025
214. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment for an update on his Department’s development of a circular economy roadmap for the construction sector, as committed to in the Climate Action Plan 2025 and due in Quarter 4 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55478/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraConstruction and Demolition (C&D) waste, which includes all waste produced by the C&D of buildings and road infrastructure, accounts for over a third of all waste generated in the EU. C&D waste contains a wide variety of materials such as concrete, bricks, wood, glass, metals and plastics. It is the largest waste stream in Ireland in terms of both volume and weight and is a priority for increased circularity at both a national and EU level.
Given this context, the second Whole of Government Circular Economy Strategy, which is currently out for public consultation, includes a dedicated chapter for the Built Environment as provided for in section 7 of the Circular Economy and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2022 and includes actions and targets in addition to cross-cutting measures with the most potential to make significant contributions to the circular transition. It is intended to bring this strategy to Government for approval before the end of the year.
In tandem, the Department is currently finalising a Circularity Roadmap for the Construction and Demolition sector which will include actions to improve the sustainability and overall circularity rate of this sector. This roadmap will be informed by two key circularity focussed documents published by the sector over the last 12 months including the 2024 Construction Sector Group Report Supporting the Circular Economy Transition in the Irish Construction Sector and the Building a Circular Ireland Roadmap from the Irish Green Building Council in 2025.
The Roadmap will support the better use of secondary materials, circular construction methods, digital tools for materials tracking, and guidance for sustainable planning and procurement. Publication will be aligned with that for the Circular Economy Strategy.
