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:
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Accelerated skills development
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Pushing innovation and digital adoption
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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:
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Volumetric off-site units – fully built modules assembled later onsite
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Panellised systems – walls, floors, roofs prefabricated
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Sub-assemblies & components – pods and frame elements
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Additive techniques – 3D printing and advanced manufacturing
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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:
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Pulling together cross-government & industry forces to define MMC standards
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Developing a public procurement roadmap to prioritise MMC in tendering
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Expanding training programs to upskill workers in MMC methods
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Launch of test projects, including pilot modular housing schemes
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Enhancing certification and standards, such as NSAI Agrément, for MMC technologies
Why It Matters
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Addressing the housing shortage: MMC supports faster housing delivery, helping meet the goal of 44,000–50,000 homes per year
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Green construction: Prefabrication and reduced waste align with climate targets and net-zero goals
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Skilled growth potential: MMC opens opportunities in modular building, digital design, and tech leadership, helping attract new talent
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Economic gain: Faster build times, cost efficiencies, and better quality control boost ROI for both industry and government
What’s Next
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Concrete rollout of pilot MMC public housing projects
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New CPD and apprenticeship pathways for MMC skills
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Establishment of metrics and dashboards to assess MMC uptake across projects
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Increased public-sector procurement of MMC-compliant designs
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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:
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Upskill now: Training in prefab, modular, BIM, and smart-construction is becoming essential
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Embrace collaboration: MMC demands closer coordination between architects, engineers, contractors, and fabricators
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Stay ahead: Knowing MMC principles and NC standards like NSAI Agrément will give firms a competitive edge
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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.