Ireland can become a world leader in offsite and MMC, but needs policy support in order to digitalise and decarbonise construction, write Paul Tierney, CEO of MMC Ireland, and Pat Kirwan, chair of MMC Ireland’s Policy & Support Integration working group
As Ireland faces increasingly urgent challenges in housing, healthcare and education infrastructure, coupled with ambitious climate targets, the construction industry cannot adopt a ‘business as usual’ position. Delivery demands change.
Offsite and other Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) offer a transformative solution, and Ireland is rapidly emerging as a European leader in this field.
As an organisation that figures at the forefront of driving this change, MMC Ireland is calling on the state to support its members to digitalise and decarbonise construction, not just through technological innovation, but through strategic policy development and implementation.
The Irish MMC sector’s strength lies in its holistic approach, combining deep project experience and robust technical expertise with a keen understanding of policy needs.
Building a sustainable, diverse MMC pipeline
MMC Ireland, representing over 90 members, is actively shaping the future of construction in Ireland and beyond.
We are not just focused on increasing capacity; we are building a sustainable, diverse pipeline across all sectors, underpinned by supportive government policies.
Central to our strategy is close collaboration with the Irish government. We have seen remarkable willingness from policymakers to engage with the MMC sector, creating an environment conducive to innovation and growth.
This partnership is crucial as we work to overcome traditional barriers in planning, procurement and regulation.
MMC Ireland’s Policy Support & Integration working group, chaired by long-time DfMA advocate Pat Kirwan, plays a pivotal role in this process.
Our members are actively working to align MMC solutions with government objectives, ensuring that policies support the scaling up of offsite construction.
Key focus areas of MMC in Ireland
Planning reform: We are advocating for streamlined planning processes that recognise and facilitate the unique characteristics of MMC projects.
This includes pushing for a single national housing design standard to replace varying local authority requirements.
Procurement innovation: MMC Ireland members are working with government bodies to update public procurement guidelines, prioritising MMC solutions in state construction projects and seeking appropriate Pre-Manufactured Value (PMV) targets.
Our goal is to help create a more efficient, centralised procurement process that can leverage the economies of scale offered by MMC.
Financial incentives: We are proposing targeted financial measures to boost MMC adoption. These include introducing a capital allowances regime for MMC equipment, creating an MMC innovation tax credit and stablishing preferential lending terms for MMC projects through state-backed lenders.
Skills development: Recognising the unique skills required for MMC, our members are pushing for the establishment of an industry-led MMC skills fund, enabling targeted internal training and upskilling of the existing workforce.
This would support apprenticeships and training programmes, ensuring a more diversely skilled workforce ready to meet growing demand.
Sustainability integration: We are advocating for policies that recognise and reward the sustainability benefits of MMC.
This includes proposing funding for manufacturers to conduct Lifecycle Analyses (LCA) and develop Environmental Product Declarations (EPD), directly tying MMC to Ireland’s Climate Action Plan.
Driving digitalisation: MMC Ireland recognises digitalisation as a crucial enabler for the widespread adoption and success of Modern Methods of Construction (MMC).
While we welcome Ireland’s current Building Information Modelling (BIM) mandate, which is gradually impacting the industry, we urge the government to prioritise and accelerate the digital transformation of Ireland’s construction sector through the Build Digital Project.
To increase MMC adoption within the housing sector, SMEs must enhance their levels of digitisation. Although Ireland’s BIM mandate currently focuses on public procurement, its timelines for project category values between €10m and €5m are less ambitious, with the mandate taking effect for contractors and supply chain members in 2027.
This mandate should align with housing procurement strategies in terms of both volume and cost. Accelerating the mandate’s timeline will require an urgent ramp-up in delivery from the Build Digital Project and other industry stakeholders, including professional and other representative bodies.
Growing momentum
The momentum behind offsite and other Modern Methods of Construction is growing. We are seeing increased recognition from government of MMC’s potential to address urgent needs in housing, healthcare and education.
Our members are preparing to meet this demand, with many planning to double their output over the next five years; however, the key to unlocking MMC’s full potential lies in securing a consistent and credible – and most importantly, buildable – project pipeline.
This is where policy plays a crucial role. MMC Ireland is advocating for the government to set ambitious targets for increased levels of MMC adoption in social and affordable housing, starting at 30% and increasing over time.
Such commitments would provide the certainty needed for manufacturers to invest in scaling up their operations.
Ireland’s MMC on the world stage
Looking ahead, we see Ireland not just as an adopter of MMC but as a key exporter of expertise and innovation.
Many MMC Ireland members are already operating at a global level and leading world-class projects. We are proposing a more targeted MMC export support programme to help Irish companies expand into international markets, positioning Ireland as a global leader in sustainable construction methods.
Our vision extends beyond our borders. At Offsite Construction Week UK in September, MMC Ireland will launch the first MMC Technical Catalogue, showcasing the offerings of our members.
This internationally focused event will feature several of Ireland’s MMC leaders, demonstrating the scale and reach of Ireland’s MMC expertise.
While increasing export opportunities for our members, this event will reaffirm the organisation’s commitment to contributing to the global shift towards more sustainable, efficient construction methods.
The challenges faced by society right now – from housing shortages to climate change – require bold, innovative solutions. Through strategic policy development and implementation, Ireland is demonstrating how MMC can transform the construction industry, supported by forward-thinking policies that enable innovation, drive efficiency and prioritise sustainability.
As we continue our mission to digitalise, decarbonise and deliver, we invite policymakers and stakeholders to engage with MMC Ireland members and leverage this deep project experience.
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