Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 October 2025
593. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the way in which modern methods of construction are currently being utilised to increase housing delivery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54810/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraModern Methods of Construction (MMC) is a collective term which describes innovative construction alternatives to traditional construction.
The Programme for Government contains a range of initiatives to support MMC. These include an MMC Innovation Fund to directly fund new and existing factories, as well as targets for MMC use in at least 25% of all State-backed housing, resourcing the National Standards Authority of Ireland to ensure regulatory certificates are issued in a timely manner, and broadening the rollout of MMC training programmes.
My Department, working closely with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, and other relevant stakeholders, is progressing work to increase delivery capacity in the residential construction sector through promoting the adoption of MMC.
Under Housing for All a range of initiatives have already been put in place to support MMC. These include the Accelerated Delivery Programme to deliver over 1,500 MMC dwellings through Local Authorities led by my Department. In addition, building on this experience Wexford County Council are currently tendering a 3D Pilot Project of 22 social housing units utilising offsite three dimensional construction methods which are essentially what are referred to as modular units. Other initiatives include the Construct Innovate Technology Centre, the National Demonstration Park for MMC and the National Construction Training Centre at Mount Lucas, the Build Digital project, the Built to Innovate initiative; Training for industry, procurers and Building Control in MMC; Publication of the Modern Methods of Construction Introductory Guide, and the establishment of the Timber in Construction Working Group.
On Friday 3 October last, my Department published the Design Approaches study to raise awareness and actively promote the adoption of standardised housing design including layouts, construction methodology, building services and building components, which can reduce costs and promote Modern Methods of Construction (MMC), while also maximising sustainability and maintaining quality.
In promoting MMC, using new technologies, and as we seek to reduce the carbon footprint of our built environment, the Government will also ensure that we can have confidence in the quality of our new systems. Compliance with high standards, including compliance with all parts of the Building Regulations, will continue to be central to the success of MMC in Ireland.
