2025-05-22

I will allow Deputy McCormack to ask his question but only one reply because we are out of time.

20. Deputy Tony McCormack asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the steps his Department is taking to increase training capacity in modern methods of construction nationwide to meet housing and infrastructure targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25972/25]

I thank the Deputy for raising this important question. My Department is actively progressing measures to expand training capacity in modern methods of construction, MMC, nationwide. We have quantified that using MMC could lead to a reduction of almost 10,000 in the number of additional workers required to meet domestic building and retrofitting targets to 2030, which is highly significant. Existing training capacity is being expanded through partners including SOLAS, Laois-Offaly Education and Training Board and Skillnet Ireland. New traineeships and micro-credentials are being developed and offsite manufacturing diplomas, short courses in sustainability and digital skills, and an MMC-specific portfolio of programmes are available. Along with the Minister, Deputy Lawless, I was delighted yesterday to launch a new digital platform, Skillnet MMC Accelerate, at Mount Lucas to support career progression and training navigation in this important area. A national demonstration park is under development at Mount Lucas. It will open later this year as a flagship destination for demonstration, specialist training and innovation. In parallel, the Department is finalising an MMC action plan. Responding to the expert group on future skills needs recommendations, this sets out 58 targeted actions across areas such as digital construction, certification, early learning engagement and new training provision. It has been developed with Government, industry and education partners. All of this work is supported by funding of €3.5 million in 2025.