Department of Housing | Business Post

Developers redrawing tens of thousands of housing plans

New government rules that could allow developers to double numbers of own-door houses, a response to the increasing unviability of apartments, are sending developers back to the drawing board

Free legal aid for environmental challenges will be developed in ‘collaborative manner’

Paul Hogan, Assistant Secretary at the Department of Housing, said the new scheme will protect judicial reviews on environmental grounds

Department records say goal of delivering 5,500 affordable homes ‘challenging’

Housing department says high cost of construction and issues with water infrastructure make meeting yearly target ‘very challenging’

Business Post's View

Editorial: Crises can’t be used by government to abandon checks and balances around spending

While the government has had to spend billions of euro on emergency supports, it is concerning that Dáil oversight rules were ignored as large sums of money were transferred between government departments

Donegal council refused to engage in talks on €3bn mica scheme over confidentiality term

Local authority has refused to participate in a review of the rules underpinning the scheme because senior executives were told not to share the document with elected councillors

EU ends daily €15,000 fines as controversial Galway windfarm Derrybrien shuts

The wind farm is capable of powering 40,000 homes, but it failed to get retrospective planning permission

Developers sign up for €144k in state subsidies to build private apartments

It is hoped the help for builders will allow them to deliver affordable housing

State land agency outsources €42 million of work in four years

LDA has built no homes on state lands yet, but has agreed contracts with outside firms for everything from architectural to legal services

Government's €450m subsidy for apartment developers still waiting for European Commission approval

The scheme, which proposes to pay developers €450 million to build apartment projects for purchase by individuals and families, not funds, was launched in 2021, but has been unable to proceed

Building watchdog criticises regulatory ‘opt out’ for mica rebuilds using state grants

State agency in charge of building regulation criticises exemption to construction rules that may allow some homeowners to rebuild their houses without having to properly adhere to building regulations

Internal report: LDA pays more to build affordable homes than EU neighbours

Confidential Land Development Agency comparison report seen by the Business Post

Delays and debate: Inside the Land Development Agency’s first four years

The Land Development Agency was launched in 2018 with the promise of becoming as significant a state body as the ESB or the IDA. Four years on, with no houses yet delivered on state land, what has the body achieved?

Mica: After a year of ‘stagnation and paralysis’, should homeowners expect more of the same this year?

Homeowners, frustrated by delays and roadblocks to the scheme to fix their houses, will be hoping for more movement in the next 12 months

Mica: Expert group warns more funding needed to better regulate concrete products

New audit published by the government, which has been delayed by months, says government needs to spend more on overseeing quarries

‘There's days I phone my daughter and cry’: Worst mica-hit families face an unsafe winter

The government has been warned that 10 families in homes built by hazardous blocks need to move for their safety. But can anything be done to get them into emergency accommodation?

Ukrainian Refugee Crisis

State in scramble to find room for refugees as system strains

Croke Park, disused barracks and school halls are all being considered, as Ukrainian embassy warns those fleeing war that Ireland cannot guarantee homes

Galway wind farm fines hit €16 million amid disagreement between Department and European Commission

Controversial development subject to ongoing infringement case following landslide in 2003

Government considers plan to buy dormant housing projects

Buying developments which have planning permission but have not been commenced would release over 17,000 homes for cost rental housing

Row between officials further delays mica redress for Donegal homeowners

A new letter shows the government urged the council to speed up its decision-making on mica applications, but refused to provide guidance on how to deal with houses affected by a damaging new material

Plan to axe leased social housing is under ‘review’

Move comes despite Taoiseach’s promise to end controversial practice, and follows fresh €450 million state investment to lease 1,000 new homes