Major cross-government Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) initiative announced
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Ó: An Roinn Breisoideachais agus Ardoideachais, Taighde, Nuálaíochta agus Eolaíochta
- Foilsithe:
- An t-eolas is déanaí: 9 Meitheamh 2025
- Ministers James Lawless, James Browne, Peter Burke and Minister of State Marian Harkin support joint event at the National Demonstration Park
- event marks key milestone government’s strategy to modernise the construction sector, expand housing capacity, and create sustainable, skilled jobs
Government Ministers led a joint event today at Mount Lucas to officially launch the Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) Action Plan and break ground on the National Demonstration Park for MMC.
The MMC Action Plan, developed by the Department of Further and Higher Education in partnership with industry and education providers, sets out 58 targeted actions across eight themes to scale the adoption of MMC.
The Demonstration Park, which is co-funded by the three departments and which will be located on the National Construction Training Campus operated by Laois-Offaly ETB, is designed to showcase leading MMC techniques, provide immersive learning, and support the growth of a national innovation ecosystem.
Speaking at the event, Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, James Lawless said:
"I am delighted to publish this landmark Action Plan which will assist in the accelerated adoption of Modern Methods of Construction (MMC), a significant representation of my department’s and the government’s commitment to meeting national skills needs.
"In addition, the National Demonstration Park will be Ireland’s flagship centre for MMC showcasing, learning, and innovation. It will build industry and public confidence, technical expertise, and a national ecosystem around MMC."
Minister for Housing, Heritage and Local Government, James Browne said:
"I’m pleased to mark the commencement of the National Demonstration Park for Modern Methods of Construction, which will spearhead training and education and ultimately, boost housing supply by fostering construction innovation skills that deliver homes faster, with improved quality, and reduced waste.
"As Minister for Housing, I am committed to strategically investing in innovation that supports housing solutions. Mount Lucas showcases the capacity of modern methods of construction to transform the homebuilding landscape and to drive efficiency and quality in housing delivery. This what we need."
Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, Peter Burke said:
"Ireland’s construction industry is transforming at pace, and our focus must be on how we support business in this transition. The MMC Action Plan will help to provide the skills needed to enable more widespread adoption of innovative construction methods, while the new National MMC Demonstration Park to be developed here at Mount Lucas will show first-hand the advances in offsite manufacturing, modular systems and digital construction tools that offer huge potential for enhanced efficiency, increased quality, waste reduction and environmental sustainability.
"These initiatives illustrate a strong collaborative approach across Government, together with industry stakeholders, and my department is proud to play its part and support these valuable initiatives. Ireland is turning the dial in relation to our approach to Modern Methods of Construction and these efforts will contribute significantly towards the building of more housing for our citizens."
Minister of State at the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Marian Harkin said:
"This site will become a national anchor for MMC. It will be a place to test new approaches, to train the next generation, and to build the partnerships that will drive sustained change in housing delivery.
"Ireland has an opportunity here to lead; to set the pace not just in how we build, but in how we educate, upskill, and include. With this Demonstration Park, and the implementation of the MMC Action Plan, we are putting ourselves in a strong position to do exactly that.”
Joe Cunningham, Chief Executive of LOETB, also welcomed today’s developments, saying:
"The National Demonstration Park for MMC at Mount Lucas represents a pivotal moment for construction education and training in Ireland. This isn't just about showcasing cutting-edge building techniques; it's about creating a living classroom where trainees and students, apprentices and professionals can experience, hands-on, the future of the industry.
"The educational value of this park lies in its ability to bridge the gap between theory and practice, providing immersive learning opportunities that will equip our workforce with the vital skills needed to deliver on national housing and sustainability targets."
The Demonstration Park will house live examples of MMC across a variety of MMC technologies. It will also serve as a research and training space for new entrants, upskilling professionals, and MMC innovators. The first units in the Demonstration Park are expected to be completed by the end of 2025, with training and industry and public engagement activity scaling throughout 2026.
Funding has been provided through a tripartite investment between the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, and the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment.
Both the Park and the Action Plan align closely with government strategies including Housing for All and the Programme for Government, as well as the White Paper on Enterprise and the MMC Roadmap.
The initiatives complement other key government projects that support MMC adoption, such as Enterprise Ireland’s “Construct Innovate” national construction technology centre and “Built to Innovate” package of grants for the domestic residential construction sector.
Notes
The MMC Action Plan was developed by DFHERIS, based on the recommendations of the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs and extensive cross-sectoral consultation.
The Demonstration Park is located at the National Construction Training Campus, Mount Lucas (operated by LOETB).
Funding for Phase 1 of the Park is being provided by DFHERIS, DETE, and DHLGH.
The MMC initiative supports key government objectives for housing delivery, climate action, skills development, and regional growth.
Accelerated social housing delivery program led by DHLGH to deliver 1,500+ MMC dwellings through Local Authorities,
Wexford County Council are currently tendering a 3D Pilot Project to develop social housing utilising offsite three dimensional construction methods. This project will see the delivery of 22 units utilising this method of construction.
The Programme for Government commits to delivering more than 300,000 houses between 2025 and the end of 2030, which an average of over 50,000 per annum. Delivery over the period will need to rise incrementally to 60,000 home per year by 2030.