Latest news with #TimberinConstructionSteeringGroup
Irish Examiner
3 days ago
- Business
- Irish Examiner
Department launches report on research of timber construction in Ireland
This week, the Timber Construction in Ireland Research Report was launched by the Department of Agriculture. The report, Pioneering Research and Innovation for timber and wood-based products in Ireland was launched by minister for agriculture Martin Heydon, minister of state with responsibility for forestry Michael Healy-Rae and minister of state with responsibility for research and development Noel Grealish. Minister Heydon said: 'The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine is a key funder of forestry and timber research. My department funds this research in order to produce the knowledge, insights and technology needed to address evolving strategic, policy and industry needs. "This investment in research and innovation reflects the continued government support for utilising our forest resource and creating a renewable building environment.' Minister of State with responsibility for research and development, Noel Grealish, stated: 'This booklet provides a concise overview of more than €8 million worth of research, supported by my department over recent years, and conducted by Irish institutions on timber and wood-based products… The booklet highlights the practical impact on policy, industry and society that the outputs of this research can have, and it demonstrates the depth and breadth of Ireland's timber research.' There are three notable examples of research featured in the booklet. 'SAOLWood' is a 'Sustainable Construction and Lifecycle Assessment of Irish Timber' project. SAOLWood aims to support more informed, low-carbon choices in construction by creating Ireland's first national database to track the environmental footprint of Irish wood products across their full life cycle. This data is used to support green public sourcing of sustainable building design and timber-focused climate policies. 'MODCONS', 'Modular Mass Timber Buildings for the Circular Economy', is the second example of research presented in the report. MODCONS demonstrates how Irish timber can support national housing and climate goals. This project focuses on the design, development, and experimental testing of sustainable modular timber using prefabrication to speed up construction, reduce waste, and improve building performance. The project is also testing how the timber systems measure up in fire safety, sound insulation and long-term use. Lastly, 'WoodProps', 'Wood Properties for Ireland Programme' will be playing a central role in ensuring Irish-grown timber can be specified with particular focus on modern construction and is actively shaping Irish and European standards. The project has developed machine grading settings for additional species, thereby diversifying Ireland's timber options, developed finger-jointing technologies and preserved decades of timber research in a national repository. Minister of state with responsibility for forestry, Michael Healy-Rae, welcomed the output from the Timber in Construction Steering Group: 'Our thriving sawmilling and forest sectors have evolved into a highly advanced processing industry, thanks in no small part to the innovation and expertise generated through past research. "By building on this foundation, we can further strengthen the sustainability, efficiency, and competitiveness of our timber sector, supporting the adoption of the timber construction industry, maximising the value of our forest resources and benefiting the communities that depend on them.' The steering group was established to create the conditions to increase the use of timber in construction while still ensuring the highest degree of building safety and property protection, to examine regulatory standardisation challenges and to maximise the use of home-grown timber construction. The group consists of 16 members and minister of state for land use and biodiversity, Senator Pippa Hackett, appointed the independent Chair who is supported by five thematic groups: market opportunity, regulation, standards and compliance, public procurement and demonstration projects, research and development, and communication, education, training and public awareness. These thematic groups are comprised of 60 members across a range of stakeholders. The members represent key industry bodies, as well as senior representatives of relevant government departments and agencies with responsibilities for policy and the development of sectors.
Agriland
5 days ago
- Business
- Agriland
Report launched on timber construction in Ireland research
Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon has launched the timber construction in Ireland research report, 'Pioneering Research and Innovation for timber and wood-based products in Ireland'. Minister Heydon commented: 'The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine is a key funder of forestry and timber research. "My department funds this research in order to produce the knowledge, insights and technology needed to address evolving strategic, policy and industry needs. "This investment in research and innovation reflects the continued government support for utilising our forest resource and creating a renewable building environment.' Minister of State with responsibility for forestry, farm safety and horticulture, Michael Healy-Rae welcomed the output from the Timber in Construction Steering Group: 'Our thriving sawmilling and forest sectors have evolved into a highly advanced processing industry, thanks in no small part to the innovation and expertise generated through past research. "By building on this foundation, we can further strengthen the sustainability, efficiency, and competitiveness of our timber sector, supporting the adoption of the timber construction industry, maximising the value of our forest resources and benefiting the communities that depend on them.' Minister of State with responsibility for food promotion, new markets, research and development, Noel Grealish added: 'This booklet provides a concise overview of more than €8 million worth of research, supported by my department over recent years, and conducted by Irish institutions on timber and wood-based products. "It covers topics such as structural performance, environmental impact, material developments, and advancements in engineered wood products. "The booklet highlights the practical impact on policy, industry and society that the outputs of this research can have, and it demonstrates the depth and breadth of Ireland's timber research.' Notable examples of research featured in the booklet include: SAOLWood – Sustainable Construction and Lifecycle Assessment of Irish Timber SAOLWood is creating Ireland's first national database to track the environmental footprint of Irish wood products across their full life cycle. This work provides essential data to support green public procurement, sustainable building design and timber-focused climate policies. By showing the environmental benefits of local timber, SAOLWood supports more informed, low-carbon choices in construction. MODCONS – Modular Mass Timber Buildings for the Circular Economy MODCONS focuses on the design, development and experimental testing of a sustainable modular timber using prefabrication to speed up construction, reduce waste and improve building performance. The project also tests how these timber systems perform in terms of fire safety, sound insulation and long-term use. MODCONS shows how Irish-grown timber can support national housing and climate goals. WoodProps – Wood Properties for Ireland Programme A national programme, WoodProps is helping define the structural capabilities of Irish timber species, especially Sitka spruce. The project has developed machine grading settings for additional species thereby diversifying Irelands timber options, developed finger-jointing technologies, and preserved decades of timber research in a national repository. It plays a central role in ensuring Irish-grown timber can be specified with confidence in modern construction and is actively shaping Irish and European standards. The Timber in Construction Steering Group was established to create the conditions to increase the use of timber in construction, while ensuring the highest degree of building safety and property protection; to examine regulatory and standardisation challenges; and to maximise the use of home-grown timber in construction. The steering group of 16 members and the independent chair is supported by five thematic groups comprising over 60 members across a wide range of stakeholders. The members represent key industry bodies, as well as senior representatives of relevant government departments and agencies with responsibilities for policy and the development of sectors. These thematic groups include:
Agriland
09-06-2025
- Business
- Agriland
New construction action plan to support use of timber
A new 'action plan' to modernise the construction sector in Ireland has recommended that the government support the work of Timber in Construction Steering Group. The action plan on modern methods of construction (MCC) was announced today (Monday, June 9), with the aim to modernise the construction sector, expand housing capacity, and create sustainable and skilled jobs. The plan has been developed by the Department of Further and Higher Education in partnership with industry and education providers, and sets out 58 targeted actions across eight 'themes' to scale up adoption of MCC. The plan was launched at Mount Lucas National Construction Training Campus in Co. Offaly, which also saw the breaking of ground on a new National Demonstration Park for MMC. One of the actions outlined in the plan calls for the National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI), which regulates construction products, to engage with suppliers of MCC products to encourage their engagement in certification processes so they are eligible for future public tenders. One of the organisations that the government will engage with under this recommendation is the Irish Timber Frame Manufacturers' Association (ITFMA). A further recommendation in the report said that the government will support the work of the Timber in Construction Steering Group through targeted skills provision as necessary. The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, as well as Solas and Skillnet Ireland, will be responsible for implementing this recommendation. The Timber in Construction Steering Group was established in November 2023, and focuses on five key thematic areas. These areas are: market opportunity; regulation and standards; public procurement and demonstration projects; research and development; and communication and education. The steering group recently met with Minister of State with responsibility for forestry Michael Healy-Rae, to review the progress made in scaling up the use of timber is construction. Speaking at the time, Minister Healy-Rae said: 'Ireland has a significant opportunity to expand the use of timber in construction, supporting our climate goals while delivering housing needs. Sustainable timber construction practices will require us to build smarter, higher and safer.' 'The work of this group is vital in identifying the approaches to wider adoption of timber construction, and to finding practical solutions,' he added.
