Mr. Sean Downey:

The Senator asked a question about the number of timber frame homes at the moment. We are talking about 8,000 units from a total of just under 30,000 last year. We estimate, in terms of off-site manufacturing, that the percentage is somewhere in the range of 30% to 33%. There are almost 10,000 units using precast concrete, twin-wall systems, hybrid systems or light-gauge steel, and then timber frame. Your local developer might say he is not quite sure the capacity is there. He has been to the factory and knows that they need an order of 60 units per month or they will not build capacity. Numbers are possibly heading much further north than 30,000, in terms of what Housing for All currently says should be supplied into the system. The off-site manufacturing industry is able to deliver 30% of what is required at the moment. It is not just a mandate. It is certainty. The industry needs to see a framework and to be guaranteed to get 500 units in its factories. At the moment, they are doing 250 or 300. They will build another 50% extension. New factories will grow and people will invest because there will be certainty in terms of growing scale. It is not just guidance or a statement of intent. It is an actual order. That is where the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage guidance note on the aspirations for these 1,500 units is really important. It is important to take maximum advantage of the small number of standardised units, which can be sent out to a number of factories and done to scale.