659. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the policy rationale for commencing capital works on the National Demonstration Park for Modern Methods of Construction prior to finalisation of the performance and evaluation framework; whether a written risk assessment was undertaken in relation to this sequencing decision; and if so, whether he will provide details. [16023/26]

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).

The requirements of capital timelines are such that investment sometimes commences for projects while the detail of performance frameworks are being agreed, updated, or refined.

In relation to the National Demonstration Park for MMC, a decision was made by the Project Advisory Group to commence capital works in parallel with development of evaluation metrics to ensure delivery of the physical infrastructure in alignment with the expected timing of agreement on the operational framework. In the first instance, metrics relate to the enabling groundworks and confirming the housing units to be delivered.

The development of the Park is 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).