Rory Hearne
Ceist:1456. Deputy Rory Hearne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the position regarding the industry capability working group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1633/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 13 January 2026
Ceisteanna (1456)
Freagraí scríofa
Under Housing for All, the Government set up the Industry Capability Working Group to make homebuilding in Ireland faster and more efficient.
The group brings together experts from Government, universities, and the construction industry. Its goal is to improve productivity and encourage innovation in building homes. It works with the Modern Methods of Construction Leadership Group and key agencies like:
• Enterprise Ireland
• Solas and Education & Training Boards
• National Standards Authority of Ireland
• Approved Housing Bodies
• Land Development Agency
• National Development Finance Agency
The Industry Capability Working Group has played an important role in achieving more use of Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) in new homes and increasing apprenticeships, which are up 66% since 2020.
The Working Group continues to meet regularly under the Government's new housing plan, Delivering Homes Building Communities.
It will work with a renewed emphasis on driving priority actions which will have the greatest impact on housing delivery and will adopt a strategic approach to the various initiatives under its remit. Lead initiatives to build the capability of the residential construction industry include innovation and productivity, skills and capacity, enterprise support and standards, compliance and sectoral engagement.
A key priority for the Working Group will be to drive the adoption of MMC across the public housing programme and to overcome barriers to implementation of MMC in the industry more broadly.
Question No. 1457 answered with Question No. 1352.