Minister Healy-Rae discusses emerging recommendations with Timber in Construction Steering Group
- Published on: 21 March 2025
- Last updated on: 16 April 2025
The Minister of State with responsibility for Forestry, Farm Safety and Horticulture, Michael Healy-Rae, met with the Timber in Construction Steering Group to review the progress made over the past year, and discuss key emerging recommendations aimed at increasing the use of timber in construction and the built environment.
Speaking at the meeting, 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. A coordinated approach through this Steering Group, across all relevant stakeholders including Government, industry, and research institutions, will provide the catalyst for this change. I look forward to the group's annual report and interim recommendations being brought to Cabinet shortly, setting the course for the next phase of this important work."
The Timber in Construction Steering Group was established in November 2023, and focuses on five key thematic areas, namely, Market Opportunity, Regulation and Standards, Public Procurement and Demonstration Projects, Research and Development, and Communication and Education.
The Chair of the Group, Professor J. Owen Lewis, added:
“With a strong focus on collaboration, the group has already made progress in identifying pathways to increase confidence in timber as a mainstream construction material. Work is ongoing to identify potential markets for increasing the use of timber in both public and private sector construction, thereby decreasing embodied carbon emissions. The group has engaged in raising awareness among architects, engineers, and policymakers about the benefits and feasibility of timber in construction, and will continue to engage with wider audiences.”
The use of timber in construction is a key element of the Programme for Government, Ireland’s Forest Strategy 2023-2030 and the Climate Action Plan, and of the ongoing effort to develop a sustainable and circular bioeconomy.
Notes
The Timber in Construction Steering Group was established to create the conditions to increase the use of timber in construction whilst 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 were appointed by Minister of State for Land Use and Biodiversity in October 2023. The Group 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:
- TG1: Market Opportunity
- TG2: Regulation, Standards and Compliance
- TG3: Public Procurement and Demonstration Projects
- TG4: Research and Development, and
- TG5: Communication, Education, Training and Public Awareness
The Timber in Construction Steering Group met for the first time on 6 November 2023, and a total of nine meetings were held during the first year.
The Government of Ireland has long supported the wood and timber industry in a number of ways: promoting sustainable forestry practices, increasing timber supply, supporting economic development in rural areas, and enhancing the competitiveness of Irish timber products both domestically and internationally. Government funding has significantly advanced research and development of the Irish forest resources, from the characterisation of timber species to the design and performance of timber building elements. More specifically, over €8 million has been provided by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine since 2010 on timber research projects and green public procurement that build capacity and expertise in the timber industry.
The reports from the group are available from the Timber in Construction website.