Tony McCormack (Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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118. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills for an update on the development of the Modern Methods of Construction Demonstration Park at Mount Lucas; the number of beneficiaries who will receive near zero energy building and retrofitting training at the centre in 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37617/25]

James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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I would like to thank the Deputy for his question.

Located at the National Construction Training Campus in Mount Lucas, the National Demonstration Park for modern methods of construction will serve as a national hub to showcase housing MMC products and systems. It is designed to facilitate training, awareness-raising, and industry engagement.

In order to progress the Park, we have approved the completion of Phase 1 of the project. Approval has also been provided by the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment and the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage. This joint Ministerial approval underlines the whole-of-government commitment to the Park and the vital activities it will undertake.

Currently, the initial groundworks for the Park are underway.

I was delighted to see this work in person during the recent breaking of the ground ceremony at the Park on 9^th June. This marked an important milestone for the project, and the presence of the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, Deputy Peter Burke, and the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Deputy James Browne, again highlighted the importance of the Park.

In relation to Retrofit and Near Zero Energy Buildings training, the Centre of Excellence in Mount Lucas has had 1,361 learners up to the end of June this year. This is 43% of all learners across all Centres of Excellence in that period. Provision is demand led with learner numbers updated throughout the year as more people register for the courses.