Alan Kelly (Tipperary, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

297. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government his views on whether modular units like those being constructed for Ukrainian refugees could also be used for social housing tenants in the coming years. [61713/22]

Alan Kelly (Tipperary, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

308. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he supports putting social housing tenants in modular forms of housing in the future. [62074/22]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 297 and 308 together.

Housing for All is the Government’s plan to increase the supply of housing to an average of 33,000 per year over the next decade. This includes an average of 10,000 new build social homes each year in the period to 2030. Housing for All is supported by an investment package of over €4bn per annum, through an overall combination of €12bn in direct Exchequer funding, €3.5bn in funding through the Land Development Agency and €5bn funding through the Housing Finance Agency.

Modern methods of construction (MMC) has been identified as a key measure to address increased housing delivery and methods to support increased use of MMC are set out in Pathway 5 of Housing for All. The development of MMC will improve productivity in construction and increase efficiency in residential construction. The development of MMC is being led by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment which has established a MMC Leadership and Integration Group and my Department is represented on this Group. This Group is ensuring the cohesive integration and coordination of the various Government supported MMC initiatives. These initiatives include:

- The establishment of a multi-location Construction Technology Centre, consortium led by the University of Galway;

- A new Demonstration Park for MMC at Mount Lucas, operated by Laois Offaly Enterprise and Training Board; and

- The National Construction Training Centre at Mount Lucas,

All homes delivered using MMC must comply with the Building Regulations, the aim of which is to provide for the safety and welfare of people in and about buildings, and in addition achieve a 60-year durability for all key elements. For new innovative products or systems, not covered by existing standards, compliance with the Building Regulations can be demonstrated by 3rd party certification by an independent approval body, such as National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI).

Under Housing for All, the Government will deliver an average of 10,000 new build social homes each year in the period 2022-2030. The Housing for All Action Plan Update and Quarter 3 2022 Progress Report, which was published on 2 November, includes a new action to develop a roadmap with targets for increased use of MMC in public housing. My Department is now working closely with the local authorities to increase the use of MMC in social and affordable housing. Last week the Government agreed to the allocation of up to €100m to pay down loans on sites which can deliver social housing projects linked to accelerated delivery, which will include the use of MMC.