Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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To ensure the delivery of Housing for All targets, and accelerate the ongoing transformation of the construction sector, the Government recognises the need for a continuous flow of compliant innovations in the residential construction sector. This includes the more widespread adoption of Modern Methods of Construction (MMC), an umbrella term for a range of innovative construction processes, of which modular (or 3D volumetric) construction is one.

In July 2022, in collaboration with a number of Government Departments, my Department established the Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) Leadership and Integration Group. This Group looks at a wide range of policy issues that impact the adoption of MMC and, in July 2023, my Department (in conjunction with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage) published the ‘Roadmap for increased adoption of Modern Methods of Construction in Public Housing Delivery’. This document sets out 28 actions across a range of topics that the Government is committed to taking to promote MMC.

The National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI) and Enterprise Ireland are represented on this Group.

The NSAI plays an important role in promoting the adoption of innovative construction products by providing Agrément Certificates to qualifying innovations that provide an evidence base for determining their compliance with Irish Building Regulations. These Agrément Certificates, amongst other factors, can then be used to demonstrate how an innovative technology complies with the Building Regulations to Assigned Certifiers and Building Control Authorities. NSAI has:

Strengthened their capacity to support an efficient Agrément Process

Assessed the efficiency of the current Agrément Certification process in an international comparative context.

Promote understanding of the Certification and Inspection process in the context of the broader regulatory system for residential construction.

Through Enterprise Ireland, the ‘Construct Innovate’ Technology Centre, has been established to support industry-led research and innovation in construction. Also, Enterprise Ireland has rolled out the ‘Built to Innovate’ scheme which offers innovation and business transformation grants to the domestic residential construction sector.

My Department will continue to work with our agencies and with other Government Departments and Agencies to deliver the wider range of actions to promote MMC as set out in the Roadmap document.