Government Ministers officially launch the Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) Action Plan and break ground on the National Demonstration Park for MMC. The event marked a major step in Ireland’s efforts to modernise construction practices, boost housing supply, and build the skilled workforce needed for the future.
The MMC Action Plan, developed by the Department of Further and Higher Education in collaboration with industry and education partners, outlines 58 targeted actions across eight thematic areas. Its goal: to accelerate the adoption of innovative construction approaches across Ireland.
The new Demonstration Park, co-funded by the Departments of Further and Higher Education, Housing, and Enterprise, will be located on the National Construction Training Campus at Mount Lucas, operated by Laois-Offaly ETB. The facility is intended to showcase cutting-edge MMC techniques, deliver immersive training, and support the development of a national innovation ecosystem.
Speaking at the launch, Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, James Lawless TD, 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 TD, emphasised the housing impact of the initiative:
“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.
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 is what we need.”
Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, Peter Burke TD, highlighted the potential for innovation and competitiveness:
“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.
The new National MMC Demonstration Park 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.
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 TD, described the site’s long-term significance:
“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 the development:
“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 include live-build examples of various MMC technologies and serve as a training, research, and public engagement hub. The first units are expected to be completed by the end of 2025, with activity expanding in 2026.
The initiative is supported by a tripartite investment from 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 Action Plan and the Park align closely with major Government strategies such as Housing for All, the Programme for Government, the White Paper on Enterprise, and the MMC Roadmap. They complement other state initiatives including Enterprise Ireland’s Construct Innovate technology centre and the Built to Innovate grant programme.
The Irish government has unveiled a comprehensive MMC Action Plan, marking a pivotal shift in how buildings and especially housing will be designed and built in the coming years. Developed by DFHERIS in collaboration with industry, education, and government partners, the plan outlines 58 actions spread across eight strategic themes aimed at revolutionising construction practices nationwide
Core Focus: Efficiency, Skills & Sustainability
The Action Plan reflects a whole-of-Government approach to transforming construction through:
Accelerated skills development
Pushing innovation and digital adoption
Scaling up efficient, sustainable building methods
It supports broader national priorities including Housing for All, climate policy, and balanced regional growth
What Counts as MMC?
The term covers a wide variety of methods aimed at making construction faster, safer, and greener. This includes:
Volumetric off-site units – fully built modules assembled later onsite
Panellised systems – walls, floors, roofs prefabricated
Sub-assemblies & components – pods and frame elements
Additive techniques – 3D printing and advanced manufacturing
Onsite process enhancements – robotics, streamlined workflows
Implementing these improves on-site productivity, reduces waste, and supports decarbonisation strategies
Strategic Actions
Key measures in the plan include:
Pulling together cross-government & industry forces to define MMC standards
Developing a public procurement roadmap to prioritise MMC in tendering
Expanding training programs to upskill workers in MMC methods
Launch of test projects, including pilot modular housing schemes
Enhancing certification and standards, such as NSAI Agrément, for MMC technologies
Why It Matters
Addressing the housing shortage: MMC supports faster housing delivery, helping meet the goal of 44,000–50,000 homes per year
Green construction: Prefabrication and reduced waste align with climate targets and net-zero goals
Skilled growth potential: MMC opens opportunities in modular building, digital design, and tech leadership, helping attract new talent
Economic gain: Faster build times, cost efficiencies, and better quality control boost ROI for both industry and government
What’s Next
Concrete rollout of pilot MMC public housing projects
New CPD and apprenticeship pathways for MMC skills
Establishment of metrics and dashboards to assess MMC uptake across projects
Increased public-sector procurement of MMC-compliant designs
Strengthened digital connectivity and innovation ecosystems supporting MMC
Implications for the Industry
For construction professionals, this plan signals a vital shift. Here’s what it means for you:
Upskill now: Training in prefab, modular, BIM, and smart-construction is becoming essential
Embrace collaboration: MMC demands closer coordination between architects, engineers, contractors, and fabricators
Stay ahead: Knowing MMC principles and NC standards like NSAI Agrément will give firms a competitive edge
Explore new pathways: As MMC creates roles in digital fabrication and systems integration, the construction landscape is expanding
To delve into the full plan and its eight themes, download the Action Plan directly from gov.ie here.
Minister for Housing, Heritage and Local Government, James Browne, has secured Cabinet approval to introduce retrospective payments under the Defective Concrete Blocks Grant Scheme, marking a significant step forward for affected homeowners.
Legislation will now be fast-tracked to ensure that homeowners who have incurred eligible costs under the scheme since 29 March 2024 can benefit from the increased grant amounts announced in late 2023.
Last October, the Government raised the maximum grant available under the scheme by 10%—from €420,000 to €462,000. Additionally, the per square metre rates used to calculate grant amounts were also increased in November 2024, with rises ranging from 7.4% to 8.7%. Until now, however, these increases only applied to homeowners who had not yet received a determination for remediation and grant approval.
Under Minister Browne’s proposal, eligibility for the higher amounts will now be extended to homeowners who previously missed out, ensuring those impacted by rising construction costs are not unfairly excluded.
Minister Browne stated:
“I made it a priority to visit the north west and met with some of the homeowners impacted by the use of defective concrete blocks in the construction of their homes, as well as advocacy groups and local representatives.
I witnessed at first-hand the difficulties faced by these affected households in financial and personal terms in recent years. The improvements I am introducing today will secure fairness, ensuring every eligible homeowner can now access the improved financial support from the government, irrespective of their original remediation and grant determination date. It had to be sorted.”
The proposed legislation will also include a number of key amendments to improve the scheme's functionality, including:
Side-by-side construction: The scheme will, in limited and specific cases, support the construction of a new home adjacent to the original defective property.
Extended timeframe to complete works: The allowable period for completing remediation will be increased from 65 weeks to 130 weeks, and the required advance notice for extensions will be reduced from 12 weeks to 2 weeks.
Minister Browne added:
“I have listened to homeowners in the region and heard the particular challenges they have faced with certain elements of the scheme. I believe the package of measures we intend to bring forward through legislation will address some of the concerns raised so that homeowners will continue to have confidence in the scheme and know that they are being supported by the government.”
The Defective Concrete Blocks Grant Scheme is designed to assist homeowners in Clare, Donegal, Limerick, Mayo, and Sligo, whose homes were constructed with defective concrete blocks. To date, more than 2,500 applications have been submitted under the scheme.
The latest episode of The Engineers Collective podcast is now available to stream on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major podcast platforms.
This month’s guest is Sally Walsh, an associate structural engineer at WSP, who joins the podcast to discuss the innovative use of reused steel in construction, specifically within the Elephant & Castle Town Centre redevelopment in central London.
The Elephant & Castle scheme aims to transform the area into a vibrant mixed-use neighbourhood, featuring residential units, commercial spaces, and public areas. WSP serves as the structural and geotechnical engineer on the project, and Walsh has played a central role in the groundbreaking decision to incorporate reused steel into the development—marking the first time WSP has taken this approach.
The episode delves into how the decision to reuse steel came about, how it was implemented on site, and the valuable lessons learned throughout the process. Walsh and podcast host Rob Hakimian also explore the broader potential of steel reuse becoming a standard practice across the construction sector. They discuss which types of projects are best suited for this sustainable approach, the challenges that remain, and the environmental and economic benefits it could offer.
Before the interview, Rob is joined by NCE senior reporter Thomas Johnson for a segment covering recent developments surrounding the HS2 “bat shed” and expectations from the forthcoming government Spending Review.
Listen at https://www.podbean.com/ep/pb-d6phv-18bd63c
IRELAND'S CONSTRUCTION & ENGINEERING SECTORS' UPCOMING
JOBS & RECRUITMENT EVENT
RETURNS TO THE RDS IN 2025
The construction industry is facing mounting pressure to recruit and retain skilled workers, as a new report reveals that more than one in four difficult-to-fill vacancies in Ireland are in the construction sector.
The latest Recruitment Agency Survey, conducted in November 2024 by the Skills and Labour Market Research Unit (SLMRU) at SOLAS, shows that 28% of all reported hiring challenges are concentrated in construction, highlighting the ongoing talent crunch in the industry.
Key Roles in Critical Shortage
Recruitment agencies flagged a wide array of roles that are proving particularly hard to fill, including:
Skilled trades are also under severe pressure, with a shortage of:
Electricians and carpenters (including shuttering specialists)
Steel fixers, scaffolders, and welders
Pipe layers, ground workers, and curtain wallers
Foremen, supervisors, bricklayers, and glaziers
Recruitment professionals report that the situation is becoming increasingly difficult, particularly for mid-career professionals and tradespeople.
Housing Crisis Now Impacting Labour Supply
The report links labour shortages in construction not only to the sector's continued growth but also to wider socio-economic issues. A persistent housing shortage is now affecting the workforce itself.
Employers Adapting: Skills Over Experience
Recruitment agencies say some construction employers are adjusting expectations, with many now hiring for potential rather than long experience. According to the survey, 59% of hard-to-fill roles are open to candidates with three years or less experience, and only 22% require five years or more, typically for senior or managerial roles.
This shift reflects the urgency in plugging gaps on sites across the country.
Salaries on the Rise — But It's Not Enough
To stay competitive, many employers are increasing salaries, particularly for roles tied to long-term national infrastructure projects and private development. 64% of construction-related difficult-to-fill vacancies had some level of salary increase attached, according to the survey.
However, agencies caution that salary alone is not resolving the problem. Remote and hybrid options, though limited in construction, are increasingly expected by jobseekers in administrative and planning roles.
Green Skills and Digital Tools: The Future of Construction Talent
As sustainability targets tighten, recruiters also point to a growing demand for “green” construction skills. Roles linked to environmental health and safety (EHS), energy efficiency, and sustainability are now part of the broader talent strategy on many sites.
Additionally, digital readiness, especially in BIM, planning, and procurement, has become essential, further increasing pressure on employers to upskill existing staff or find digitally fluent new hires.
On successful completion of this Advanced Manual Arc Welding (Vertical Fillet) – Saturday at Kerry College of Further Education & Training learners will be able to use equipment used in MMA welding safely in the 1F,2F and 3F positions in line with industrial standard EN9606-1 and health and safety requirements.
This course is scheduled to run Saturday’s from 9am to 2pm for 12 weeks. Learners need to have completed the existing T joint welding course or have 3 years experience in Manual Arc Welding.
In the just-released Ireland’s Best Employers 2025 rankings, Coffey has once again secured its place among the country’s most respected companies, ranking 10th overall with a strong employee satisfaction score of 8.01. This makes Coffey the highest-ranked employer in the construction and related services sector, reaffirming its reputation as a leader not only in infrastructure delivery but also in workplace culture.
Though it slipped from 5th place in 2024, Coffey's continued presence in the top 10 reflects the company’s strategic focus on employee development, sustainable practices, and regional impact. Founded in 1974, the company has built a strong presence in water, environmental, and transport infrastructure, delivering projects across Ireland and the UK.
Construction Industry Under Pressure
The recognition comes amid a challenging period for the construction industry, with rising material costs, labour shortages, and increased regulatory demands shaping the competitive landscape. Despite these pressures, Coffey has maintained a stable and positive work environment, offering staff opportunities to upskill, engage in innovation, and work on high-impact public infrastructure projects.
Coffey’s ranking is especially notable given the absence of other major construction firms in the top 10. The company has been praised for its early adoption of digital project management tools, commitment to green construction principles, and collaborative work culture.
Irish construction activity continued to grow in April, with the commercial sector showing the strongest momentum, according to the latest AIB Ireland Construction Total Activity Index.
While the overall index dipped slightly to 52.4 from 53.9 in March, it remained above the critical 50-point threshold, signalling a second consecutive month of expansion in the sector.
Commercial construction led the way, posting the fastest increase in activity, while civil engineering registered its strongest performance since February 2022. Residential building continued to expand for the eighth month in a row, although at the slowest rate among the three key sectors.
The growth in activity was underpinned by a rise in new business, which increased for the third month in a row. This upturn in demand prompted firms to boost employment and increase their use of subcontractors. Hiring grew at a faster pace than in March, and subcontractor usage also ticked up, with rates rising at the quickest pace in a year.
However, the sector is also facing headwinds. Increased demand for materials led to higher input prices, with suppliers responding by raising costs. Delivery times were impacted by staffing shortages, adding further pressure on supply chains.
Commenting on the findings, AIB Senior Economist John Fahey said: “The survey for April showed that the sector had a solid start to the second quarter. The headline index remained above the key 50 level, consistent with a second consecutive month of expansion in activity. Firms attributed the growth in activity to an improvement in demand conditions. This was reflected in new orders expanding for a third straight month. This backdrop of new projects saw firms continue to increase their staffing levels.”
Looking ahead, construction firms remain broadly optimistic, with about one in three expecting activity to rise over the next 12 months. However, some companies noted concerns about the potential impact of uncertainty in US trade policy on future growth.
The AIB Ireland Construction PMI is compiled by S&P Global based on survey responses from around 150 construction firms, collected in the second half of each month. The index measures changes in activity compared to the previous month, providing a snapshot of sectoral momentum across Ireland.
Thermodial is a long-established HVAC specialist based in Citywest, Dublin, delivering expert heating, ventilation, and air conditioning services since 1986. The company supports a wide range of clients through the service, maintenance, installation, and upgrade of HVAC systems, with a clear focus on quality, safety, and sustainability.
Thermodial's operations are built on four key pillars: quality, health & safety, environmental responsibility, and energy efficiency. These guiding principles ensure a high standard of service while reducing system failure risks, promoting safe practices, and supporting a transition away from fossil fuels.
A recognised leader in staff training and development, Thermodial consistently invests in upskilling its team, allocating around 4% of annual payroll towards training, well above international averages. Engineers are equipped not only with strong technical knowledge but also with communication and management skills that enhance customer service and problem-solving.
With over 450 years of combined industry experience across its team, Thermodial fosters a collaborative and supportive workplace culture. Employees are actively encouraged to take part in service improvements, reflecting the company’s belief in the unique value and potential each individual brings.
To learn more about Thermodial’s HVAC solutions and career opportunities, visit thermodial.ie.
The Government welcomes the publication of the National Economic and Social Council’s (NESC) report, Deepening Compact Growth in Ireland, which sets out clear evidence of the multiple benefits of compact urban development.
Compact growth refers to encouraging more development within the existing footprints of cities, towns, and villages—through the creation of walkable neighbourhoods and the renovation of vacant and derelict properties—rather than expanding into surrounding greenfield land.
The report highlights that compact growth delivers wide-ranging benefits, including:
Reduced car dependency and increased use of sustainable transport
Improved productivity and innovation
Better access to services
Lower costs for public infrastructure and services
While the Government is on track to meet its National Planning Framework target of ensuring 40% of new housing is built within existing urban areas, the fastest-growing developments are still often located on the outskirts of towns and villages.
One key challenge to compact growth is that greenfield development remains more financially attractive to developers than brownfield alternatives. Building houses on undeveloped land is generally cheaper than constructing more compact housing such as apartments. However, when the full societal costs are considered—including higher infrastructure spending, increased travel distances, and higher carbon emissions—brownfield development proves to be the more cost-effective and sustainable option.
In response, NESC makes several important recommendations:
Increase public investment to unlock land suitable for compact growth, especially through major urban regeneration projects and upgrades to critical infrastructure like water services.
Review development incentives to provide greater support for brownfield and infill development.
Implement recommendations from the Residential Construction Cost Study Report (2023) and pursue the six actions on Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) identified by NESC in 2024 to reduce the cost of building apartments.
The Government recognises that many current and planned policies support compact growth. These include:
Renovation grants for vacant and derelict buildings
The Croí Cónaithe (Cities) scheme, which supports apartment development in urban centres
Programme for Government commitments, such as creating a strategic fund to invest in infrastructure, assemble sites, and de-risk land in urban areas to maximise development potential
The proposal to allow for small homes in existing gardens, which could also support this objective
Compact growth is a core pillar of the National Planning Framework (NPF), Ireland’s long-term spatial strategy up to 2040. The Government reaffirms its full commitment to advancing compact, sustainable, and community-focused development.
