Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 806 and 839 together.

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.

MMC is the term used to describe a range of manufacturing and innovative construction alternatives to traditional construction, including modular construction. MMC has the potential to boost productivity, increase efficiency and improve sustainability in the construction sector. MMC techniques can speed up the delivery of construction projects by between 20% and 60%.

The coordination of activities to promote MMC adoption is being led by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (DETE), through the inter-departmental MMC Leadership and Integration Group (established July 2022). This Group will ensure the integration and coordination of the various Government-supported MMC initiatives – to support innovation in the construction industry.

Such initiatives include:

• The Accelerated social housing delivery programme which uses MMC
• Publication of the Roadmap for increased adoption of MMC in Public Housing Delivery
• The ConstructInnovate Technology Centre
• The National Demonstration Park for MMC
• The National Construction Training Centre
• Training for industry, procurers and Building Control in MMC
• The establishment of the Timber in Construction Working Group, which, bringing together a range of industry expertise, will be tasked with examining conditions to increase the use of timber in construction.

In promoting MMC, using new technologies, and as we seek to reduce the carbon footprint of our built environment, the Government will also ensure that we can have confidence in the quality of our new systems. Compliance with high standards, including compliance with all parts of the Building Regulations, will continue to be central to the success of MMC in Ireland.

In order to demonstrate compliance with the Irish Building Regulations, innovative systems, such as modular and MMC, must comply with Agrément certification or its equivalent.

With regard to the planning system, any person may lodge an application for permission to a planning authority in accordance with section 34 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended (the Act), for the construction of a house, which may be of modular construction. It is a matter for the relevant planning authority to consider each application on a case-by-case basis and to decide to whether to grant the permission, subject to or without conditions, or to refuse permission.

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 35 sites which will deliver approximately 1,800 new social homes.

The Office of Public Works (OPW), in conjunction with the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY) as the Department with policy responsibility, is also leading on a project to secure the provision of 700 modular homes to accommodate Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection from the Ukraine.

In making their decision, planning authorities shall have regard to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area, the policies of Government, Ministerial Guidelines and any submissions or observations received on the application during the public participation process in accordance with section 34 of the Act.

It should also be noted that Section 179A of the Act - as inserted by section 14 of the Planning and Development and Foreshore (Amendment) Act 2022 - was commenced on 8 March 2023 and introduced a temporary time-limited exemption for local authorities from the 'Part 8' local authority "own development" approval process and from planning for the provision of specified forms of housing developments, including those employing MMC, on designated State lands which are zoned for residential use.