James Benson: Construction sector ready to build on government’s housing promises

The Housing for All plan is ambitious and inspiring, but certain planning hurdles need to be addressed before builders can fully embrace it

Blocks to progress: a slowdown in the planning permissions process is hampering the delivery of new homes. Picture: Bloomberg

The launch of the government’s Housing for All plan comes at a time when there is universal agreement that Ireland needs to accelerate the building of new homes. Since 2008, housing supply has significantly lagged behind demand with the current supply of private housing at levels last seen in the 1970s.

A priority for the Irish Homebuilders Association is to deliver much-needed homes for those struggling to access the market and find suitable accommodation. The ...