64 per cent of people in Ireland believe more timber frame houses should be built, according to Red C research commissioned by Coillte.

There is strong support in Ireland for expanding Irish forests and forestry products, according to the new research published in October 2022.

More than four in five agree Ireland should continue to produce enough certified Irish wood to support the construction of homes in Ireland. And two thirds believe more time framed houses should be built rather than using concrete or steel.

Timber frame research

Coillte aims to produce a sustainable supply of 25 million m3 of Irish certified timber to help Ireland achieve its housing ambition of 300,000 new homes by 2030.

The semi-state body promotes the use and benefits of wood products, to help increase the level of timber homes from 20 per cent to 80 per cent by 2050.

Coillte also says they are developing innovative wood products to meet the growing demand for sustainable materials to support the bioeconomy. By 2050, Coillte’s sustainable wood production aims to displace 2.7m tonnes of carbon dioxide per year from fossil based products such as concrete, steel and plastic.

Over 80 per cent of those surveyed say Irish forests are important in supporting the construction of sustainable homes. 85 per cent believe that Ireland should be self-sufficient for its timber requirements, rather than import it from unsustainable sources.

78 per cent believe wood should come from independently certified forests that ensure they are managed sustainably.

The survey also shows people feel Coillte should invest in innovation and promoting wood products too.

Coillte, which is responsible for the management of 440,000 hectares of Ireland’s forests, aims to add 100,000 hectares of new forests by 2050 to support the delivery of one third of Ireland’s afforestation target.

The public attitude survey was conducted by RED C, using their online panel between 9^th and 15^th June 2022. It was undertaken with a nationally representative sample of 1,007 adults aged 18+ living in the Republic of Ireland.

Meanwhile Taoiseach Micheál Martin told the Pat Kenny show on Newstalk that the system was too slow and that there needed to be more modular homes and timber homes, rather than a fixation on conventional building methods.