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Ireland: Wood first policy can help tackle housing crisis
[Jun 18, 2025]




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



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