Minister's plan calls for less concrete in public building projects
Is Them And Peter Minister Advising The Write To Guidelines Ministers Cement Concrete Products On Enterprise To Procuring For Burke
Public buildings will have to use less concrete under plans brought to Cabinet.
Enterprise Minister Peter Burke told ministers that he will soon write to public bodies to advise them of new guidance when designing public projects and, in particular, when procuring cement and concrete products.
In 2022, the cement sector accounted 4.8% of total national emissions. Under the Public Sector Climate Action mandate, public bodies have committed to better procuring cement and concrete products.
A statement from Mr Burke's department says that the guidance agreed by Government will "send a clear message to the construction, concrete and cement sectors".
The agreed guidance calls for the lower use of concrete and cement as well as specifying lower carbon concrete.
Meanwhile, Cabinet was also told that over 500 homes can be delivered in Cork under a Department of Housing fund.
Housing Minister Darragh O'Brien updated ministers on the third call of the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund — which is targeted at addressing long term vacancy and dereliction across cities and towns.
The fund is available to all councils to cover the purchase price of properties, along with any minor works required to make the property more suitable for sale. Acquired properties are then offered for sale to people who commit to bringing the property back into residential use.
The update provided by Mr O’Brien shows that 1,224 vacant and derelict properties in the fund's areas have been identified and approved under the scheme, and that the estimated residential yield from these properties is 5,406 homes nationally.
In Cork, 553 homes could be delivered across 86 properties at a cost of €14m.