Malcolm Noonan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

The Deputy makes valid points. The report provided a set of recommendations that could help in developing standardised approaches to the design of housing for wider application, informing policy and encouraging simplified layouts and delivering training awareness programmes relating to the cost impact of materials and finishes commonly used in the residential construction sector. It addressed the development of standardised design specifications for student accommodation and part of the commitment from Housing for All to achieve a significant increase in the use of modern methods of construction in many of these developments and recommended a review of external wall build-ups to assess and test alternatives, including external leaf for Irish climatic conditions, for suitability. There are several good recommendations there along with the other measures we have in terms of development contributions that we hope will reduce that cost over time.

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