658. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the baseline data identified for measuring the impact of the National Demonstration Park for Modern Methods of Construction; the specific quantitative target indicators to be used in assessing uptake of MMC in public housing delivery, training throughput, and cost and time efficiencies; and if he will provide the numerical targets adopted. [16022/26]

I would like to thank Deputy O'Flynn for his continued interest in the development of the National Demonstration Park for Modern Methods of Construction (MMC).

In order to help the adoption of innovative solutions in housing delivery, the Government’s Housing for All and the Roadmap for Increased Adoption of MMC in Public Housing Delivery detailed a National Demonstration Park for MMC as a deliverable.

Located at the National Construction Training Campus, the Park will serve as a national hub to showcase MMC housing and systems. The Park will be central to advancing the take-up of MMC in Ireland as a physical showcase for these technologies and processes. The project is being led by the Laois–Offaly Education and Training Board (LOETB), which manages the Campus and also delivers MMC training.

The development of the Park is very much aligned with the Government’s broader MMC ambitions, which, through my Department, includes the rollout of the Skillnet MMC Accelerate online platform in February 2025 and the launch of an MMC Action Plan in June 2025 to address the skills needs identified by the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs (EGFSN).

In relation to indicators that could help measure the impact of the MMC Demonstration Park, these will be agreed upon by the Project Advisory Group in alignment with the development of the operational framework. Training throughput is measured through course completions.

In terms of efficiencies, the Department of Housing, Local Heritage and Housing have noted that reductions in delivery timeframes of up to 40%, greater cost certainty and reduced changes during construction have offered both cost and time savings. A 2024 report published by my own Department estimated that 24% fewer new workers would be required for new builds if using MMC compared to traditional methodologies.