Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 30 May 2024
81. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of the actions or recommendations in the recent report of the Housing Commission that have already been implemented, underway or partially underway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24314/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra97. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will commit to publishing rents as recommended by the Housing Commission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24336/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra98. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to detail his plans to deliver housing in counties Cavan and Monaghan at the scale indicated as needed in the report recently prepared by the Housing Commission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24411/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra102. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his views on the housing deficits in the State as reported by the Housing Commission recently; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24312/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 81, 97, 98 and 102 together.
The Report of the Housing Commission was submitted to me on 8th May, together with a number of reports relating to potential wording for a referendum on housing, and was noted by Government and published thereafter on 21st and 22nd May respectively.
The report runs to more than 400 pages, including appendices, with 83 recommendations and over 500 actions and sub-actions. While a comprehensive examination of the Report will take time, it is immediately clear the radical shift the Commission recommends is well underway through the Government's Housing for All plan and other measures. Indeed, a preliminary assessment of the report suggests almost 80% of the Commission's recommendations are already at varying stages of implementation.
All aspects of the report will be considered in detail, including in respect of housing targets. Indeed, work has already commenced regarding a refresh of the Government's housing targets, with revised targets due to be published in the autumn. Importantly, while regard will be had to the Housing Commission's conclusions in this respect, the refresh will be informed primarily by independent, peer reviewed research and modelling by the ESRI on population projections and long-run housing demand.
In the meantime, I have requested the Housing Agency to conduct a comprehensive analysis of costings, timelines and priorities. This will allow for a fuller consideration of the policy matters raised than would otherwise be possible, given the Report doesn't cost actions or specify timelines for implementation.
The Report of the Housing Commission, together with the conclusions of the Housing Agency vis-à-vis costings, timelines and priority actions, will help inform consideration of the forthcoming Housing for All Action Plan Update, which I will bring to Government with my proposals for next steps in the autumn.
