Ministers Heydon, Healy-Rae and Grealish launch pioneering research report on timber construction in Ireland
- Published on: 11 August 2025
- Last updated on: 11 August 2025
Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon TD, 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 TD, today 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 TD, 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. 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.”
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Notes for Editors
The publication can be accessed online here: Timber in Construction Steering Group (www.gov.ie)
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.
SAOLWood is key to unlocking timber’s role in Ireland’s circular bioeconomy.
- 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, 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. gov - Timber in Construction Steering Group (www.gov.ie)
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:
- Market Opportunity,
- Regulation, Standards and Compliance,
- Public Procurement and Demonstration Projects,
- Research and Development, and
- Communication, Education, Training and Public Awareness.
The reports are available from the Timber in Construction website: https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/864a9-timber-in-construction-steering-group/#findings