Decision on housing land exemption taken after heavy lobbying by developers

New documents from the Department of Housing reveal that representatives of builders claimed the cost of private homes would be driven up if the land was not exempted

Darragh O’Brien, the Minister for Housing, recently announced a new requirement in the Housing For All plan under which developers are obliged to set aside 10 per cent of homes for social housing and 10 per cent for affordable housing. Picture: Conor McCabe

A controversial government decision to exempt certain land from new affordable housing requirements was taken following extensive lobbying by developers, the Business Post can reveal.

New documents released by the Department of Housing show how representatives of the construction industry claimed not exempting the land would scupper supply and drive up the cost of private homes.

Darragh O’Brien, the Minister for Housing, recently announced a new requirement in the Housing For All plan under which ...