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Research

Discover more about research and development in Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) in an interview with a senior researcher at University College Dublin, alongside a representative sample of recent research publications focused on MMC and skills development.

This will grow to be a comprehensive showcase of research activity across Ireland, highlighting the work of higher education institutions and other research-performing organisations that are driving innovation and workforce development in the Irish construction sector.

Research showcase

  • Cover page with the Government of Ireland logo. Text reads: 'Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) Action Plan, June 2025
    Jun 2025

    Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) Action Plan

    Ernst & Young, Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science
    This report has been prepared by Ernst & Young, in accordance with an engagement agreement with the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (“DFHERIS”) for professional services, covering an Action Plan which outlines the actionsneeded to deliver the recommendations in the detailed skills assessment report, Research and Forecast for Skills Required for Modern Methods of Construction”.
    View Report on gov.ie
  • Cover with white background and the title “International Best Practice in Digital Construction Adoption” next to the Build Digital logo.
    Nov 2024

    International Best Practice in Digital Construction Adoption

    Project Ireland 2040
    A global study identifying key learnings for Ireland in digital transformation by examining international best practices in digital adoption within the built environment sector.
    View Report on tudublin.ie
  • Cover page of an October 2024 report from the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science titled 'An Update to the Report on the Analysis of Skills for Residential Construction and Retrofitting'
    Oct 2024

    An Update to the Report on the Analysis of Skills for Residential Construction and Retrofitting

    Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation, and Science
    This report contains detailed forecasts of the skills required to deliver an annual average of 50,000 new homes and the retrofitting (B2 equivalent standard) of an annual average of 63,444 existing older homes over the 7-year period 2024-2030.
    View Report on gov.ie
  • White cover with the title “Report on the Circular Economy – October 2024” by the Joint Committee on Environment & Climate Action.
    Oct 2024

    Report on the Circular Economy (Joint Committee on Environment and Climate Action)

    Joint Committee on Environment & Climate Action
    Perhaps the most impactful legacy of the Covid crisis has been an increased awareness of
    the risks that arise from global supply chains.
    Our current “Take, Make, Use, Discard” model ignores the environmental costs along the
    supply chain.
    View Report on oireachtas.ie
  • Cover with Irish Fiscal Advisory Council logo and the title “Ireland’s Infrastructure Demands – Working Paper N°22, October 2024” on a white background.
    Oct 2024

    Ireland’s infrastructure demands

    Niall Conroy and Kevin Timoney, Irish Fiscal Advisory Council
    This paper identifies infrastructure deficits in Ireland relative to other countries. We find significant deficits in housing, health, transport, and electricity. More investment will also be required to help transition to a greener society.
    View Report on FiscalCouncil.ie
  • Cover - FutureCast logo and the title: 'Evaluating the Use of Recycled Construction Waste in 3D Construction Printing: Material Characterisation, Structural Properties, and Recycling Potential'
    Sep 2024

    Evaluating the Use of Recycled Construction Waste in 3D Construction Printing: Material Characterisation, Structural Properties, and Recycling Potential

    David Plunkett (Futurecast)
    The objective of the study is to investigate the use of recycled construction waste in 3D construction printing (3DCP). Specifically, the proposal was to characterise the recycled construction waste, assess its suitability for 3DCP, assess the physical properties of concrete structures produced by 3DCP, and asses the recycling of printed concrete into new aggregate.
    View Report on futurecast.info