Ireland must seize the “massive opportunity” presented by timber construction as a pathway to both ramp up housing supply and meet climate targets. That is according to Mark McAuley, director of Forest Industries Ireland, who welcomed a new report from the Irish government’s Timber in Construction Steering Group.
The report, “Market Opportunities for Timber Construction in Ireland,” projects substantial growth in timber use and sets out strategic steps to scale the sector.
McAuley described the findings as “a signal to farmers of the potential value of planting trees on their land, with such high future demand for timber.”
“We have a massive opportunity to build more with wood in Ireland,” he said. “All the planting of commercial forests in the 1980s and 1990s is now bearing fruit in terms of housing and the environment. We have a rapidly growing Irish timber supply which we must use to build greener homes.”
Wood Central understands that timber frames accounted for just under half of all low‑rise housing in 2021. However, across all new homes, its share is smaller — estimated at around a quarter or less — a gap industry groups say must close to meet future demand.
But despite the optimism, McAuley warned that the industry’s growth must be sustained far beyond the short term. He urged rapid afforestation now to ensure a sufficient timber supply in the 2040s and beyond.
“It is a real concern for the timber industry that we have not been able to follow up on the success of the earlier years of Irish forestry,” McAuley said. “We have allowed our planting levels to drop way below what’s needed, and everything must be done to increase planting of new, additional commercial forests.”
“For farmers and other landowners, there’s a clear future demand for more timber, which makes planting today a strong investment. We need the wood, so let’s plant the trees.”
The Timber in Construction Steering Group was convened by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine to identify ways to increase timber use in construction and to address regulatory barriers facing builders and designers. The group comprises industry representatives, including members of FII and Coillte, alongside senior officials from relevant government departments and agencies.
