MMC Ireland has welcomed the publication of the National Economic and Social Council’s (NESC) report ‘Boosting Ireland’s Housing Supply: Modern Methods of Construction’.

This broad-ranging report recognises the transformative potential of MMC to address Ireland’s housing challenges. It provides a robust endorsement of MMC as a “game changer” for increasing housing supply, improving productivity, and supporting the decarbonisation of the construction sector.

Paul Tierney, CEO of MMC Ireland, stated: “This report validates what our industry has long known – MMC is not just the future of construction, it is the present. The Irish MMC sector has been rapidly and steadily expanding its capabilities and is set to make a substantial impact on housing delivery”.

Quoted in the report, Declan Wallace, Chair of MMC Ireland and CEO of Evolusion Innovation Ltd., highlighted the sector’s readiness to meet Ireland’s housing needs, saying: “Our members have the capacity to speedily increase annual housing output by 25,000 dwelling units. The key issue now is the need for an ‘MMC pipeline’ to provide the certainty our industry requires to scale up operations and investment”.

This critical report acknowledges the growing strength of Ireland’s offsite manufacturing sector, noting that there are currently about 100 companies operating in this space, with 27 providing complete MMC housing solutions. This robust and expanding ecosystem positions Ireland at the forefront of MMC innovation in Europe.

MMC Ireland is particularly encouraged by the report’s recommendations for:

• Developing a dedicated MMC procurement strategy
• Expanding targets and funding for public housing using MMC
• Creating innovative financing models to support MMC adoption
• Increasing skills development and training programs
• Promoting awareness and showcasing successful MMC projects

“These recommendations align closely with MMC Ireland’s vision for the sector,” Paul Tierney added. “Our highly experienced members are ready to work closely with government bodies, financial institutions, and other stakeholders to implement these suggestions and unlock the full potential of MMC in Ireland”.

The report’s emphasis on the need for greater collaboration between government and industry strongly echoes MMC Ireland’s mission. The 90-strong membership, comprising some of Ireland’s leading home-builders, stand ready to engage in constructive dialogue to address the challenges identified in the report, including insurance issues, regulatory barriers, and the need for standardised housing typologies.

As Ireland grapples with its housing crisis, MMC offers a credible, proven solution that can deliver high-quality, sustainable homes at speed and scale. MMC Ireland calls on all relevant parties to seize this moment and work together to create the certainty and support our industry needs to help solve Ireland’s housing challenges.

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