Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 21 April 2021
598. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the extent to which he considers reform to be an integral part and necessity in the housing markets with a view to creating opportunities for first-time home buyers other than the corporate sector to gain access towards providing a home of their own; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20848/21]
View answerThis Government is committed to better understanding and therefore tackling the ongoing housing crisis. In June 2020 my Department requested the National Economic and Social Council (NESC) to undertake research on the following question;
What are the policy options available to facilitate the delivery of public and private housing in line with the compact growth targets set out in the National Planning Framework (NPF) and related policies in a new Programme for Government?
The work of NESC provides a toolkit which can be utilised to look at new ways of achieving this target. The research is concerned with two basic issues – first bridging the supply gap and second bridging the affordability gap. In addition the Council has included recommendations on adopting more sustainable form of urban development based on transport oriented development.
The recommendations from the NESC report will form an integral part of my Department’s ongoing work in reviewing the National Development Plan and the Councils recommendations will feed into the work of the Commission on Housing.
My Department is also supporting innovation in the construction industry in order to increase efficiency and reduce costs, including in sectors such as housing. The Building Innovation Report published by my Department sets out a range of actions to be progressed in this regard through the Construction Sector Group and its Innovation Sub-Group e.g. establishing a digital centre of excellence and Enterprise Ireland examining the possibility of a construction technology centre.
