Latest statistics indicate 3,203 residential units commenced in September 
The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien, has welcomed the latest data on the Commencement Notices. Newly released figures show that Commencement Notices for 3,203 residential units were received by Building Control Authorities in September. This represents a 48% increase on August. Data indicates that approximately 21,000 residential units were commenced between April (when the construction sector fully reopened) and September. Commencement Notices for a total of 24,226 residential units were received this year.
The latest construction activity statistics, published on the gov.ie, also indicate:

•          Latest Commencement Notices data show that in the year to September 2021, 30,519 residential units were commenced, up 40% year-on-year, when compared to the same period to September 2020.
•          581 Commencement Notices for residential developments were received in September. This is an increase on August, when 559 Commencement Notices were received. Data show that in the year to September 2021, 6,324 units were commenced, up 23% year-on-year when compared to the same period to September 2020. Commencement Notices relate to either one-off units, units in a scheme or material change of use to a dwelling.
•          Of the 3,203 residential units notified to be commenced in September, 485 single residential (one-off) units were commenced. This is an increase on August’s total of 466. Data show that in the year to September 2021, 5,243 units were commenced, up 22% year-on-year when compared to the same period to September 2020.
•          The number of house registrations with HomeBond in September was 2,484, up from 1,235 in August, representing an increase of 101% on August. The data shows that in the year to September 2021, there were 15,316 registrations, up 49% year-on-year when compared to the same period to September 2020. HomeBond registrations provides warranties on new homes. Warranties typically cover any major structural defects over a ten year period. Registrations are normally issued one month before work commences on the site.

Commenting on the latest figures, Minister O’Brien said: “These figures indicate increased construction activity and should lead to increased housing supply, which is critical to meeting our housing needs and making housing more affordable, the aim of Housing for All, the Government’s housing plan to 2030. This data follows figures showing an increase in the number of new dwelling completions in Quarter 2 this year, up 4.6% on the most recent comparable figure in 2019. Quarter 2 saw an increase in completions of all dwelling types. It also saw a significant increase in the number of planning permissions granted, with over 11,000 permissions granted. 
“Housing for All, the Government’s new housing plan, aims to increase housing supply so that an average of 33,000 homes are built each year to 2030. Increased supply is central to increasing the availability and affordability of housing, for purchase or rent. Through Housing for All, the Government will make record investment in social and affordable house building. It will also implement a range of actions to reduce construction costs, improve building standards and support innovation and productivity in construction. We know there are challenges to building houses right now such as rising costs and supply chain difficulties, but we will remain focused on implementing the right measures to make increased housing supply a reality.”

The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, and local Fingal TD Darragh O’Brien has welcomed the €4m funding allocated to fully establishing the Food Ombudsman under the Department of Agriculture’s Budget 2022.
Commenting he said, “Having first raised the need for a National Food Ombudsman to be established back in 2014 in Seanad Éireann, I am really glad to see it progressing now under this Government.
“A Food Ombudsman to oversee fairness and transparency in the agri-food industry will be of major benefit to many of our food producers here in North County Dublin.
“The €4m funding commitment demonstrates the Government’s commitment to establishing this position as a matter of priority.
“A fair return for primary producers is pivotal to the long-term survival of the industry. I want food producers here in Dublin Fingal to be protected,” he concluded.

The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, and local Fingal TD Darragh O’Brien has welcomed the €4m funding allocated to fully establishing the Food Ombudsman under the Department of Agriculture’s Budget 2022.
Commenting he said, “Having first raised the need for a National Food Ombudsman to be established back in 2014 in Seanad Éireann, I am really glad to see it progressing now under this Government.
“A Food Ombudsman to oversee fairness and transparency in the agri-food industry will be of major benefit to many of our food producers here in North County Dublin.
“The €4m funding commitment demonstrates the Government’s commitment to establishing this position as a matter of priority.
“A fair return for primary producers is pivotal to the long-term survival of the industry. I want food producers here in Dublin Fingal to be protected,” he concluded.

 
-Targeted rates waiver for hospitality, arts and entertainment and travel agency and airport sector
 
-Suite of supports for aviation sector-
 
The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage and local Fingal TD, Darragh O’Brien has announced a targeted €62.3m commercial rates waiver for the last three months of the year for the hospitality, arts and entertainment and travel agency and airport sector.
 
The commercial rates waiver will help to ensure that Dublin Airport continues to rebound from the devastation of the pandemic and continues to provide much needed employment for the people of North County Dublin.
 
Minister O’Brien also welcomed the suite of supports for the aviation sector which have been announced, commenting he said, “The €126m funding package for the aviation industry which Government agreed today seeks to help the sector to rebound and to help restore Ireland’s air connectivity. Importantly, €36m of this funding will go towards our regional airports ensuring future sustainability.
 
“The aviation sector has benefited considerably from the suite of measures to support businesses across the economy, including, a wage subsidy scheme, grants, low-cost loans, a commercial rates waiver and deferred tax liabilities. The continuation of the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme (EWSS) to April 2022 at a cost of over €1bn, will help those businesses and sectors, including the aviation sector, which still require support.
 
“The aviation sector employs approximately 150,000 people both directly and indirectly in Ireland. It is worth billions to the Irish economy and is one of the biggest generators of economic activity in the State. Here in of Dublin Fingal, daa and other employers in the airport have been a huge source of employment for people in the area and it helps our county to prosper so I believe it’s extremely important that Government continue to support the sector which continues to be severely impacted by the pandemic,” he concluded.

The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage and Local Fingal TD, Darragh O’Brien has welcomed the commitment contained in the National Development Plan (NDP) for the MetroLink.
The proposed MetroLink project consists of a 19km north-south, carbon-neutral railway service to run between Swords and Dublin City Centre, connecting key destinations including Dublin Airport and the City Centre, serving 15 stations, with a journey time of approximately 25 minutes.
Minister O’Brien said he absolutely understood frustrations in relation varying timeframes but assured constituents that he would be a firm advocate for the project in Government. Commenting he said, “The NDP gives a commitment that the MetroLink project will enter the statutory planning process in the first half of next year. This coupled with the funding committed to by Government will mean the project can move off the drawing board and into construction – a most welcome commitment for the people of North County Dublin.
“MetroLink is likely the largest ever public investment project in the history of the State and this Government is committed to its funding and delivery as quickly as possible. A Business Case will be submitted shortly to Government for approval as required under the Public Spending Code and I will be a strong supporter of it around the Cabinet table.”
“Residents along the route are participating in public consultation with the MetroLink team and as expected some designs along the route need refinement based on resident feedback. Once the consultation has been completed, planning will be lodged, and then the project moves to construction. The backing of this project with Government finance as per the NDP will ensure it becomes a reality.”
Minister O’Brien said the constant negativity from the main opposition Party in relation to the project was disingenuous given the fact they offered no constructive proposals or observations on the MetroLink in their NDP submission, “the main opposition Party continually criticise the project yet they refuse to answer any questions on it when put to them.”
“What I am interested in is getting on with the project, in supporting it in any way that I can and in delivering it for the people of North County Dublin,” he concluded.