CIBSE welcomes the newly formed Irish Government’s 2025 Programme for Government which outlines an ambitious housing, construction and environmental agenda. The proposed initiatives demonstrate a strong commitment to addressing Ireland's housing challenges, accelerating construction and advancing sustainable development.
CIBSE is particularly encouraged by the goal to deliver over 300,000 new homes by 2030 - a crucial target to meet current and future demands. The focus on robust planning frameworks, enhanced resources for planning authorities and streamlined infrastructure delivery is vital for achieving sustainable and efficient housing solutions.
As the leading authority on building services engineering, CIBSE supports the government’s emphasis on modern methods of construction (MMC). Initiatives such as the MMC Innovation Fund and the commitment to embedding MMC in at least 25% of State-backed housing projects are progressive steps. The prioritisation of timber construction and alignment with EU standards further reflects a forward-thinking approach to sustainability and innovation.
The establishment of a Building Standards Regulatory Authority marks a significant advancement, ensuring stronger oversight in design and construction while prioritising safety and quality across Ireland’s building stock. CIBSE also recognises the government’s commitment to addressing skills gaps through apprenticeships and training programs, particularly in MMC. Building a skilled workforce is critical to delivering on these ambitious targets. Additionally, the focus on retrofitting existing homes which is being led by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, coupled with investments in sustainable water and energy infrastructure, demonstrates a comprehensive approach to improving housing quality and sustainability.
The government’s bold climate action goals, including a 51% reduction in emissions by 2030 and net-zero by 2050, align closely with CIBSE’s vision of a safer, more sustainable built environment. We commend initiatives such as scaling up retrofitting, promoting renewable heating systems and emphasising sustainable building materials like timber. The focus on district heating systems and innovative financing models reflects best practices in engineering and environmental stewardship. CIBSE also supports the commitment to renewable energy, with a target of 80% electricity generation from renewables by 2030. Accelerating offshore wind and solar development, fostering community energy clusters, and creating green jobs are essential for a just energy transition.
The public sector’s leadership in climate action - through enhanced energy efficiency in public buildings, expanded EV charging infrastructure, and renewable energy mandates—sets an example for both public and private sectors. The Irish Government will also enact legislation in 2025 to accelerate the roll out of district heating systems and that waste heat captured from Data centres will be used for district heating systems.
CIBSE Ireland Committee Chair, Stephen Weir commented: "The Irish Government’s 2025 Programme for Government demonstrates a clear commitment to tackling Ireland’s housing challenges and driving sustainable development. CIBSE Ireland fully supports the focus on modern construction methods, robust planning frameworks and renewable energy integration, which are vital for creating a resilient, low-carbon built environment. We look forward to collaborating with stakeholders to ensure these ambitious goals are achieved and Ireland’s building stock meets the needs of future generations."
As a global authority on building services engineering, CIBSE stands ready to collaborate with the government, industry and communities. By sharing our knowledge, expertise and providing upskilling of its members, we can work together to achieve these ambitious goals and create a low-carbon, climate-resilient future for Ireland.
Photograph: The Guardian/Maxwell’s/PA