Yesterday the Government launched “Rebuilding Ireland – an Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness”. The “Plan” is to build more homes, utilise existing housing, improve the rental sector, address homelessness and accelerate social housing.
An Taoiseach, Mr. Enda Kenny, said at yesterday’s launch of the Action Plan: “This is a cross-Government plan, which also stretches beyond into the local government and voluntary sectors.
I am committed to ensuring that it results in us achieving our critical national ambition of ensuring that all our people have access to quality and affordable housing, either through their own endeavours or with the support of the State.”
Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government, Mr. Simon Coveney T.D. pointed out that over the next six years 47,000 new social houses will be provided. The Government will aim to double the current level of social housing to 25,000 per annum by the year 2020.
He also said that, “While the immediate priority is housing homeless families, many of whom are currently living in hotels, all aspects of the housing system are addressed within the Plan.
This means that young people looking to rent or buy, families looking to trade up or down, students who need good accommodation, older people, people with a disability and others are all encompassed within the Plan and its 84 time-bound actions.”
The Minister promised that his Department will be driving implementation, through a new dedicated Housing Delivery Office that will measure and report on progress regularly.
The challenge seem to be the shortage of housing at affordable prices and rents and the unacceptably high level of homelessness. Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Mr. Paschal Donohoe T.D. said at yesterday’s launch that he will be making an additional €2,200 million available for housing to be utilised within the next five years.
The plan is available to read on www.rebuildingireland.ie.
