Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 2 October 2018
636. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the measures taken to protect the housing market in the context of Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39892/18]
View answer637. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the areas in which he envisages potential risks to the housing sector associated with Brexit; the contingencies in place; his views on whether he has the resources required to prepare for this eventuality; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39893/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 636 and 637 together.
The extent to which Brexit will impact on the housing market is not clear at this point as it will be determined, at least in part, by the outcome of the negotiations between the EU and the UK.
The risks and opportunities presented by Brexit generally, highlight the importance of adopting a strongly strategic approach to public capital investment as set out in the National Development Plan. In planning for the implications of Brexit, we are planning for significant population growth and for that growth to be sustainable. To ensure that the economy remains competitive, the Plan includes, inter alia, significant investment in housing for a growing workforce.
The Government recently launched a new Getting Ireland Brexit Ready public awareness campaign which will provide information on the latest preparedness and support measures being taken by Government. This will include a series of outreach events across the country throughout October.
In the meantime, work continues apace across Government on Brexit preparedness and contingency planning. As negotiations on a withdrawal agreement enter the final stages, my Department will continue to assess the particular risks to all aspects of its functional responsibilities, including housing, bearing in mind that detailed negotiations on the exact nature of the future relationship cannot begin until after the UK formally ceases to be an EU Member State on 29 March 2019.
