On June 3, 2025, An Taoiseach Micheál Martin was present at a sod-turning ceremony for CPAC Modular Ltd in Co. Meath. (Meath Chronicle.)
The turning of the sod ceremony was for a €16million modular construction facility in Dunshaughlin, Co. Meath. The project is due for completion by summer 2026 and will create 100 new jobs over a 5-year period
While this is a great cause for celebration, what caught my interest was the presence of the Taoiseach himself at the ceremony. If you’ve been here before, you know that I always express my frustration at the government’s slow approach to adopting modular techniques to deliver social housing faster.
With the Taoiseach present at this event, is the Irish government finally stepping into a more visible role in supporting modular construction? Or is this just another round of ‘Let’s look good for the cameras‘?
While mildly symbolic, this may represent the kind of public endorsement that Ireland’s modular housing sector desperately needs.
A Pivotal Moment for Modular Social Housing in Ireland?
Ireland’s housing crisis is well documented. The government’s target to deliver 50,000 homes per year until 2030 is ambitious, yet housing delivery struggles to exceed 30,000 annually. This is heavily hampered by:
- Long Planning delays
- Underfunded and inadequate utilities infrastructure (even after approvals have been granted, developers have reported that utilities cannot be delivered to some zoned areas)
- Rising materials and labour costs with no end in sight.
Current Housing Goals vs Reality
| Year | Target Homes per Year | Homes Delivered | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 50,000 | ~32,500 | -17,500 |
| 2024 | 50,000 | ~30,300 | -20,000 |
| 2025 | 50,000 | ? | ? |
With the above issues, there is no doubt in my mind that the goals of reaching 50,000 houses a year will not happen. However, I believe that with the current number of modular builders in Ireland, this number could reach 35,000 – 40,000 per year. (The pessimistic number is because I do not think Ireland’s current modular builders can deliver large apartment complexes at scale just yet).
Against this slow delivery of much-needed homes, well-managed modular construction projects have important benefits:
- Homes are built and delivered faster
- Housing Waiting lists are reduced
- Delays are also reduced since weather delays are not an issue (modules are made in a factory)
- Modular techniques reduce waste without compromise in quality.
Despite the above, public perception and limited government visibility have slowed adoption. Homes need to be built and they need to be built fast.
Admittedly, the Irish government – specifically Dublin Council – has been involved with heavily delayed and mismanaged social modular projects before. But they can also improve on the succcess and lessons from the first Irish Government modular home projects – which had 2 & 3-storey terraced homes built and up in only 4 months!
Why This Matters.
At the launch event, Taoiseach Micheal Martin stated that modern methods of construction will play an “increasingly important role” in meeting housing targets. This is by no means a novel statement, and is most likely just political and social lip-service.
But let us pretend for a minute that the implications are real.
What could this mean?
- Institutional recognition of modular construction as a legitimate consideration for long-term social housing development.
- Modular construction may play a bigger role in future regulatory reforms to the Buildings Control Act.
- Wider public awareness in the future, as media attention lends credibility to this method of construction.
- Increased Access to Finance – as most Irish banks still do not provide mortgages for modular homes at this time.
Will Public Perception Really Change?
Right now, I doubt it.
But the technology is being adopted and improved across Europe at an incredible rate, so it is only a matter of time.
Despite the benefits, modular homes still carry a stigma in Ireland—often viewed as temporary, low quality, or unsuitable for permanent living. This is why I believe that a nationwide campaign showcasing real-world success stories in other European countries, as well as government-led programmes in modular social housing could help reverse this view.
The Taoiseach’s presence at this event may be small, but also serve as a catalyst to:
- Attract private developers to explore modular builds.
- Incentivise local authorities to partner with local modular builders and start some social housing projects.
Exercise – What if Local Councils Started Modular Social Housing Projects? Possible Scenarios (2026-2030).
***Warning – The below table is an estimate I came up with for the below exercise and not based on any empirical evidence, so please take it with a pinch of salt.
| Scenario | New Builds Deliverd by Modular Techniques Each Year | Additional Homes Built Each Year | Estimated Public Housing Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low Government Involvement | 5–10% | 2,000–5,000 | Minor dent in housing list |
| Moderate Involvement | 15–25% | 7,500–12,500 | Significant reduction in waiting lists |
| Strategic Push | 30–40% | 15,000–20,000 | Transformational impact |
A – 5–10% Modular Delivery
HOW IT LOOKS.
The government decides to fund modular projects in pilot phases or emergency scenarios (e.g. homelessness, refugee shelters), but not as a core part of public housing delivery.
CHALLENGES
Bureaucracy, outdated planning processes, and stigma around non-traditional homes remain unaddressed. Few developers take modular seriously.
POSSIBLE IMPACT
Ireland delivers around 35,000 homes per year, with modular contributing less than 5,000 homes. The housing crisis continues with little visible change in waiting lists or public sentiment.
B – 15–25% Modular Delivery
HOW IT LOOKS
Government actively promotes modular as part of the Housing for All plan, possibly introducing state-led incentives, grants or fast-track planning routes for MMC (Modern Methods of Construction).
MARKET RESPONSE
More private and public partnerships emerge. Local authorities and AHBs (Approved Housing Bodies) begin to see modular as a go-to option for speed and affordability.
IMPACT
With up to 12,500 modular homes annually, waiting lists begin to shrink, and modular housing gains greater public acceptance as safe, modern and practical.
Banks also become willing to provide mortgages for modular homes.
C – 30–40% Modular Delivery
HOW IT LOOKS
Modular construction becomes central to the state’s social and affordable housing delivery model. New frameworks, widespread public awareness campaigns, and significant investment flow into MMC infrastructure.
INSTITUTIONAL REFORM.
Planning permissions for modular builds are made easier.
Land zoning is optimised for rapid development. Government uses Apple owed tax to improve housing, water, electricity and transport infrastructure.
Technical colleges start upskilling tradespeople for modular jobs.
IMPACT
Between 15,000–20,000 modular homes are delivered each year. This helps the government reach or even exceed its 50,000-home target. Social housing lists shrink drastically, and modular becomes mainstream.
PS – My hope is that we get to Scenario B in the next 5 years at best. Though highly unlikely at this time, that would still be an incredible achievement.
Final Thoughts
The government’s presence at the CPAC Modular grounds in Meath could be the signal Ireland needs to pivot toward modern housing solutions. While challenges remain—planning reform, infrastructure upgrades, and public education—this moment offers a genuine opportunity to accelerate the delivery of high-quality, sustainable social homes.
If followed through with policy and funding, the next few years could see modular construction not as a niche solution, but a primary player in solving Ireland’s housing crisis.
