Scheme provides greater flexibility for developers in the delivery of water services
 
The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien TD, has welcomed a new scheme launched by Irish Water which provides greater flexibility for developers in the delivery of water services.
This Experience Based Accreditation scheme facilitates the delivery of water service infrastructure to support housing in Ireland. It does this by recognising best practice standards for the Self-Lay in the public road of water services infrastructure by Developers and Contractors.
Commenting Minister O’Brien said, “The Experience Based Accreditation Scheme has been launched 18 months ahead of schedule and will greatly assist in the delivery of Housing for All.
“The Construction Industry Federation (CIF), the Irish Homebuilders Association (IHBA) and Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) have all welcomed the new scheme and I would strongly encourage all contractors to engage with it as it will enable us to deliver water infrastructure more efficiently which in turn will mean we can deliver on our housing plans expeditiously.
“Irish Water have all the information on their website for those who are interested and they can apply online also,” he concluded.

The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage and Local Fingal TD Darragh O’Brien has welcomed confirmation from the Minister for Education that Rush National School has been given approval to proceed to tender for a new school.
The new school will comprise of 32 classrooms and two special educational needs classrooms.
Commenting Minister O’Brien said, “I’m really glad to get this confirmation. I know how hard the staff, management, parents and students in Rush have worked, campaigning for a new school.        
“I particularly want to commend Principal Morgan Doran and Chair of the Board of Management Peter Conway who have campaigned on this issue for a long time. I, along with Councillor Brian Dennehy, was happy to assist where possible.
“This is great news for the community of Rush and surrounding areas and will benefit future generations of children and families. The community has waited a long time for this project to progress and I really look forward to the tender process being finalised and construction starting,” he concluded.

Almost 16,000 residential units have been ring-fenced for individual buyers in the last year including 1,417 in Fingal
 
The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien TD, has today, 09 June 2022, published a progress update on the planning measures he introduced one year ago to increase home ownership and restrict the practice of bulk purchasing by institutional investors.
In May 2021, Ministerial Guidelines for Planning Authorities (“Regulation of Commercial Institutional Investment in Housing”) were issued to planning authorities, in order to prevent multiple housing and duplex units being sold to a single buyer.
New data received by the Minister confirms that almost 1,417 residential units have been ring-fenced for individual buyers and restricted from bulk buying or multiple sales to a single purchaser in Fingal. Fingal County Council confirmed the data which is more than any other local authority.
Commenting Minister O’Brien said, “Last year in response to the understandable outrage at an investment fund bulk buying traditional family homes I moved very quickly with my Government colleagues to ban this practice. I’m very pleased to see that the steps we have taken are proving successful and that they are working.
“This Government has placed homeownership firmly at the heart of our Housing for All plans. I want the young, and not so young people in our communities who are currently struggling to own their own home to know that Government are committed to helping them.
“We have legislated for an owner occupier guarantee, we are introducing affordability measures, and we are seeing the highest number of housing completions and planning permissions on record. All of this combined is helping to put the dream of homeownership back in reach,” he said.
The Ministerial Planning Guidelines are part of a series of Government measures designed to prohibit the bulk buying of houses and duplexes in order to increase housing stock for home ownership. Other measures include a 10% stamp duty levy on the cumulative purchase of 10 or more residential houses in a 12 month period. 
Last year, the Government took additional steps to further protect owner occupiers and legislated to require local authorities to ensure home ownership as a tenure type is provided for and estimated in their housing strategies.

Local TD and Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien has approved funding of €1.7M under the Affordable Housing Fund for 23 affordable purchase homes at Castleland Park Balbriggan.
The Affordable Housing Fund (AHF) is a Department of Housing scheme which is available to local authorities and enables them to make affordable homes available to eligible purchasers at prices significantly below market rates.
Commenting Minister O’Brien said, “I am very pleased to again be able to give approval for much needed affordable homes in Fingal and I have to commend Fingal County Council for another comprehensive and successful application to the fund.
“This Government have a plan, Housing for All, and it sets us on a path to deliver thousands more of these homes all across the country.
“As a TD for North County Dublin I know just how acutely the affordability constraints are felt by people, young and not so young, and the struggle they face in finding a home in their own locality. We want to put the dream of homeownership back in reach for these people.
“This is merely the start of hundreds of affordable homes which will be delivered in the Castlelands area,” he concluded.