Search
Search
Research hero

Research

Discover more about research and development projects in the world of Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) led by Irish higher education institutions and other research-performing organisations, alongside a showcase of research activity across the country, highlighting what is being done to drive new innovation and workforce development in Irish construction.

  • Researching and Developing the Right Concrete Products and Application Systems for 3D Construction Printing

    3D construction printing is still in its earliest phase in Irish building, but research into the best-practice materials and applications of this type of Modern Method of Construction (MMC) can help increase the rate of uptake. Two researchers from the Construct Innovate unit of the University of Galway are making this happen.
    Read more
    Research
    Industrial robotic gripper mechanism with blue components and wiring, shown from multiple angles.

  • Platform4MMC: Supporting Decision-Making to Drive the Adoption of Modern Methods of Construction in Ireland

    Ireland’s housing targets need to be met rapidly while achieving high sustainability standards. Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) offer the opportunity to digitise the construction sector, improving project delivery speed, efficiency, and quality. A research team at University College Dublin (UCD) has developed a platform to connect construction companies to the data behind the value added of MMC systems.
    Read more
    Research
    Logo of Platform MMC with stacked geometric shapes in blue and gray tones.
Taking MMC Research to the Construction Site and Beyond

The MMC Research Group at University College Dublin (UCD), spearheaded by Dr Daniel McCrum, is leading the innovations behind Modern Methods of Construction (MMC).  

Headshot of a person in a suit, standing indoors with a blurred background.

Research showcase

  • Graphic: National Framework for Meeting Priority Construction Workforce Needs document cover with a woman reviewing plans.
    Mar 2026

    National Framework for Meeting Priority Construction Workforce Needs

    Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science
    This report presents research and analysis to support the development of a national framework for meeting priority construction workforce needs. The background to this report is that a suite of landmark Government strategies has highlighted the demands to be met from Ireland’s construction workforce to meet Government priorities in housing, climate action, and other infrastructure. The realisation of this ambition is critically dependent on progress in creating and mobilising a construction workforce of a scale and skills level equipped to meet the targets set out in these strategies.
    View Report on gov.ie
  • 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 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
  • Abstract graphic cover featuring geometric shapes in orange, grey, yellow, and white, with the EY logo in the top right corner.
    Jul 2024

    Skills for Modern Methods of Construction

    Ernst & Young Business Advisory Services
    Housing is an essential infrastructure in any society. Ireland’s housing market has experienced significant volatility over the past two decades, with current housing demand outstripping supply. Housing for All is the Government’s housing plan to 2030. It is a multi-annual, multi-billion
    euro plan which aims to improve Ireland’s housing system and deliver more homes of all types for people with different housing needs.
    View Report on Egfsn.ie
  • Careers in Construction Action Plan document cover with Irish government logo and working group title.
    Aug 2023

    Careers in Construction: Action Plan

    Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science
    The Working Group for the Promotion of Careers in the Construction Sector was established in response to Action 13.4 of the revised Housing for All plan: “Develop an action plan to promote careers in construction”. Based on this research and professional experience and knowledge, proposed actions involve changes in structure, training and upskilling, and promotional activity in the construction sector.
    View Report on gov.ie
  • Report cover titled "Build Up Skills - Ireland 2030: Analysis of the National Status Quo" with BUSI2030 logo and partner organization logos.
    Jun 2023

    Build Up Skills – Ireland 2030: Analysis of the National Status Quo

    IGBC
    Construction Industry Federation, Irish Green Building Council, Laois & Offaly Education Training Board, Technological University of the Shannon

    The Build Up Skills Ireland initiative sets out a clear roadmap of actions focused on supporting the upskilling within the construction sector, and specifically the built environment.
    View Report on igbc.ie