Colm Brophy (Dublin South West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for raising this issue and providing the opportunity to update the House on this important matter.

Modern methods of construction are a key measure to support the delivery of housing under Housing for All and the programme for Government and have the potential to boost productivity, increase efficiency and improve sustainability in the construction sector. Modern methods of construction is the term used to describe a range of compliant manufacturing and innovative construction including modular systems as alternatives to traditional construction.

The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and the Government’s commitment to modern methods of construction has been clearly outlined in the new programme for Government, including binding targets for its use in at least 25% of all State-backed housing and an innovation fund via the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund, ISIF. Initiatives already in place under Housing for All to promote modern methods of construction include: the accelerated social housing delivery programme, the Roadmap for Increased Adoption of Modern Methods of Construction in Public Housing, the Construct Innovate technology centre, the National Demonstration Park, the Build Digital project, the built to innovate initiative, the development of standardised approaches to the design of housing and training for industry and public sector professionals.

In December 2022, the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage approved funding of €94 million to address legacy land debt. The funding was contingent on the local authority committing to the early development of a housing proposal that would commence construction in 2023 or no later than 2024 and utilise modern methods of construction. A total of 26 sites received funding as part of an accelerated social housing delivery programme. This programme is being led by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and will see the delivery by 13 local authorities of at least 1,500 social homes using modern methods of construction across approximately 36 sites. It is intended to expand the use of the design and build procurement approach to enable greater use of modern methods of construction in social and affordable housing delivery.

Separately, the Department is engaging with Wexford local authority on piloting several three-dimensional modular units, which are expected to tender in the first half of 2025.

A standardised design approach is key in facilitating the ease of adoption of modern methods of construction. To support this standardised approach, the Department has identified a number of designs from the design manual for quality housing, adjusted to allow for ease of delivery utilising different forms of modern methods of construction, including three-dimensional modular systems.

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