Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 18 May 2023
86. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the steps he is taking to use new technologies/building techniques to increase the delivery and supply of modular housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23219/23]
View answerModern methods of construction (MMC) have the potential to increase productivity and efficiency, improve delivery, and reduce cost in construction.
Coordination of activities to promote MMC adoption is being led under Housing for All by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, which now chairs an interdepartmental MMC Leadership and Integration Group to drive government supported MMC-relevant initiatives.
These include:
• The ConstructInnovate construction technology research centre
• The National Demonstration Park for MMC
• The Build Digital project
• The Built to Innovate awareness campaign
• A public procurement roadmap for MMC
• Training for industry and procurers in MMC
My Department is also facilitating MMC adoption in public housing. Additional resources have been deployed to support local authority delivery. A specific focus for the Housing Agency is to incorporate MMC into the social housing build programme, and a guidance document now exists for the provision of “design and build” housing projects using MMC.
In December 2022, €94m was provided to local authorities to address legacy land debts. This was linked to a commitment to use MMC on projects to commence in 2023/2024. This will enable delivery of 1,500 social homes using MMC across approximately 30 sites.
These measures will support accelerated delivery of housing utilising MMC.
