TDs differ on delivery of new housing locally

2,000 new homes have been built in Cavan and Monaghan since July 2020

2,000 new homes have been built in Cavan and Monaghan since July 2020.

That’s according to Fianna Fáil Deputy Brendan Smith, who says 548 homes have commenced in the two counties between January and June of this year alone, quoting statistics compiled from Fianna Fáil’s Housing For All plan. The number is up by almost 86% from 295 this time last year.

Elsewhere, figures released this week in a report published by the Parliamentary Budget Office show 1,918 people in Co Cavan are on social housing lists or in receipt of Housing Assistance Payment (HAP). The report estimates that the number of social homes across the State must be increased 56% to meet the current deficit.

Speaking following the report’s publication, Sinn Féin’s Deputy Pauline Tully described the housing crisis as one of “mismanagement” by the Government.

“The report, published by the Parliamentary Budget Office, estimates that the number of social homes across the State must be increased 56% just to meet the current deficit, yet only last month Taoiseach Simon Harris inexplicably claimed that a sufficient volume of social housing was being delivered,” added Deputy Tully.

“Sinn Féin has an alternative housing plan that will prioritise the delivery of social and affordable housing to the level that is required. That is why we need a general election, a change of government and a Sinn Féin Minister for Housing.”

Meanwhile, speaking to The Anglo-Celt, Deputy Smith insisted that the Party’s “top priority” since entering government has been “to do everything we can to help people to afford to buy or rent a home”.

“We are using every lever at our disposal to tackle the housing crisis and the statistics show that progress is being made,” he said.

“The Help to Buy Scheme is helping first time buyers in Monaghan and Cavan get their first home. The Rent Tax Credit is helping renters with the cost of rent, with over 9,000 Rent Tax Credit claims made across Monaghan and Cavan from 2022 to 2024.

“We are also increasing the supply of social homes, over 700 social homes delivered in Monaghan and Cavan from 2020-23. Supply is the key to addressing our housing needs and it is increasing. Nationwide, 33,784 new homes commenced construction in the first six months of this year.”

The local Fianna Fáil TD went on to say there was also a focus on tackling vacant and derelict buildings across this region.

“Monaghan and Cavan county councils were allocated €5M under the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF) to tackle long-term vacancy and dereliction within towns. Almost €13M has been allocated in Housing Adaptation grants.

“The statistics show there is positive momentum and Fianna Fáil in government will do everything possible to keep this momentum going and tackle effectively the housing crisis,” he concluded.