Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) has been identified as a key measure to address the different housing needs in Ireland and methods to support the development of MMC in Ireland are set out in Housing for All.

In December 2022, funding of €94m was provided to local authorities to address legacy land debts. The provision of this funding was linked to the immediate development of a housing proposal, a commitment to use Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) and for construction to start in 2023 or no later than 2024. A total of 26 sites received funding as part of an accelerated delivery programme, and with some additional sites since added, my Department is overseeing a project to progress delivery of MMC projects on 36 sites which will deliver more than 1,500 new social homes.

Both Louth and Meath have received funding as part of the accelerated delivery programme. Louth have 5 sites in the programme while Meath have 1 site. Details of each site can be found in the Social Housing Construction Status Report.

While my Department does not hold details on the various construction processes used in the delivery of new homes, the Housing for All Action Plan Update, which was published in November 2022, includes a new action to develop a roadmap with targets for increased use of Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) in public housing. This Roadmap was published on 11 July 2023.

My Department is now working closely with the local authorities to increase the use of MMC in social and affordable housing. The development of MMC will improve productivity in construction and increase efficiency in residential construction.

It's important to note that in 2023, both Louth and Meath well exceeded their overall social housing build targets of 156 and 243 respectively. Louth delivered a total of 365 new build homes while Meath delivered 454 homes and I am keen to see that progress continue.