Opposition in Kildare to using technology to speed up housing construction

New 3D construction printing technology should be used to automate the concrete laying process for its residential housing developments.

A Kildare County Council meeting was told by Cllr Angela Feeney that this could make the concrete laying process 60% faster - but not everyone present was in agreement.

READ NEXT Another €300,000 to be spent on new Kildare recreation amenity and park

Cllr Feeney said that if this helps to speed up housebuilding it is worth exploring and her Labour Party colleague Cllr a Heather, said that it is being used overseas.

However independent councillor Tom McDonnell expressed the fear that "robotics will take out workers “ as has happened in other spheres.

“I don’t think it is a good idea, it would be like robots taking over factory production,” he said.

Cllr Seamie Moore said that skills and crafts had been allowed to die and he said the closure of Army apprentice School in Naas resulted in the loss of some trades and “we are advertising for these skills outside the country now.”

Cllr Padraig McEvoy said cement production creates high emissions and we should look at ways of ensuring that emissions are low.

Cllr Chris Pender said that semi skilled workers should not be displaced.

Louth County Council has recently completed a pilot scheme of 3 houses using this construction method, and the sector is awaiting learnings from this project.

KCC official Annette Aspell said when tendering for projects KCC is always open to suggestions from contractors to use alternative methods of construction provided there is no cost increase or time delay, and that this method aligns with  quality specification and building regulations. 

Similarly, when tendering to design and build contractors, where the contractor completes the detailed design, there is an opportunity for the contractor to use various means of construction, including a 3D printed structure, provided it meets performance specifications