
Kerry TD and Minister of State for Forestry, Michael Healy-Rae,
has strongly endorsed a call for a “wood first” approach in
national housing and infrastructure delivery.
He welcomed the Government’s receipt of the one-year progress
report from the Timber in Construction Steering Group.
“This is about using our heads and using what we have. Irish
timber is one of the most sustainable, locally produced
materials we have.
“Putting it at the centre of our housing strategy means faster
builds, lower emissions and real support for our forestry
sector,” he said.
The Timber in Construction Steering Group – established in
November 2023 – brings together senior figures from Government,
industry, academia and the timber sector. Their first-year
report makes clear recommendations including:
# A wood first procurement policy requiring timber and bio-based materials
in publicly funded buildings
# Carbon reduction standards that will favour timber over
concrete and steel
# Geater integration of timber modules in engineering and
architecture education.
# A national technical specification for mass engineered timber
#Support for innovation, research, and a central knowledge hub
on timber design and construction.
Timber frame construction is already becoming more common in
Ireland, with 46 per cent of all scheme houses built in 2023
using this method.
“If we want to build 30, 40 or 60,000 homes a year, we need
quicker, more flexible solutions that create jobs at home. That
means timber frame housing, built from wood grown, milled and
manufactured in Ireland.
“Every timber house built is work for local sawmills, haulage
firms, builders and tradespeople. That’s good for every rural
county in Ireland.”
Source:
killarneytoday.com