Another vacant creche in Wexford estate as questions are asked of council – ‘What are the legalities of this?'
"What are the legalities of this? What can we do as a local authority?'
Accepting that there are 'a number' of creches in estates across the county which haven't been developed, housing officer Sharon Ryan said there were 'conditions attached' to planning applications but that she would have to return at the next meeting with further details.
Separately, Cllr O'Brien returned to an assertion recently made by chief executive of Wexford County Council (WCC) Eddie Taaffe that the council is currently exceeding its housing targets.
'There's only 12 houses listed in our monthly report in this district, and there's only been six properties advertised on choice-based letting (CBL) in the RMD this year, how can we be exceeding our housing targets?' she asked. 'That's nowhere near ambitious enough to meet the demand that's out there. Could we propose a motion from the RMD that we get our fair share of housing delivery here because we're not exceeding our targets in this district anyway.'
After Ms Ryan stated that a further 55 properties in the RMD were due to be made available via approved housing bodies (AHB), Angela Finn of housing capital said that, despite appearances, the Rosslare district would meet its targets under the Housing For All scheme.
'We've already delivered 35 in Rosetown, but because it's a five-year plan and the targets were set a long time ago they are coming in slowly – a lot of them were before your time,' she said to Cllr O'Brien, who was elected last year. 'The numbers allocated to RMD haven't quite been met yet but there's two years to go and we will get there.'
Ms Finn also provided Cllr Frank Staples with an update regarding houses in Tagoat which she said will be available for CBL this month.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Irish Examiner
2 days ago
- Irish Examiner
Housing, security and rising costs among key issues raised by Cork business group ahead of Budget 2026
Cork Business Association (CBA) President Dave O'Brien has commended what he calls a "positive momentum" in recent months, but said key challenges must be addressed in Budget 2026 to protect Cork City. Publishing its pre-Budget submission on Thursday, the group lists business costs, Garda numbers and investment in public transport as the main issues facing Cork, with the most urgent concern being the need for increased housing. "The housing crisis features as the number one priority in the CBA's recommendations," the business group said. "Despite various Government interventions, significant gaps remain in housing delivery, especially in Cork City." Among its recommendations are calls to expand the Living City Initiative by relaxing eligibility criteria, introducing a new Apartment Living Initiative to incentivise the construction of modern apartment blocks, adjusting tax treatment to make refurbishment and redevelopment projects more financially viable, and enhancing the Help-to-Buy scheme to include renovations of vacant or derelict properties. 'If the Government fails to act decisively now, re-election will be a tough ask,' the proposal said. Business costs In light on ongoing closures across the city, the CBA is urging the Government to follow through on its commitment to reduce VAT for food-related services, as well as supporting small businesses amid ongoing wage reform. Insurance costs also remain a major concern, the CBA said, urging the Government to improve market competition and underwriting capacity. The group also highlighted that businesses are struggling to meet the increasing costs of energy, asking the Government to conduct a full review into market charges associated with energy bills. Other suggestions include reducing Capital Gains Tax from 33% to 20% to align with EU averages, and refinements to the Employment and Investment Incentive Scheme (EIIS) to better support early-stage companies and mitigate investor risk. Security While commending recent initiatives such as Community Safety Wardens pilot, the group said the city needs a significant increase in Gardaí numbers. The submission also calls for a review of the current court system to explore alternatives to having guards on duty being held up in court all day, such as the use of affidavits, that could help return more Gardaí to front-line duties in the city centre. 'We're proud of what has been achieved over the past year through collaboration,' Mr O'Brien said. "But Budget 2026 presents an opportunity to take practical steps that will support small businesses, increase housing supply, and enhance public safety. "These changes will help ensure Cork's momentum is maintained. The time for incremental adjustments has passed. What we need now is bold, transformative policy intervention.'
Irish Examiner
4 days ago
- Irish Examiner
Uisce Éireann warns of 'critical constraints' in water capacity
Uisce Éireann has warned that its capacity to serve could hit critical constraints resulting in housing delivery coming to a standstill in the next few years. Concerns were raised at the Oireachtas housing committee that housing delivery could be stymied in the next three or four years as the water utility urged for the situation to be treated as an emergency. The committee heard that an additional €2bn — paid out over five years — would be required in order to deliver on the Government's housing targets. Uisce Éireann's Strategic Funding Plan had set out a requirement of €10.3bn investment in capital infrastructure based on the Housing For All targets of 33,000 new homes per year for 2025 to 2029. "The Government has now moved to increase national housing targets by 17,000 additional units a year to 2030," CEO of Uisce Éireann, Niall Gleeson said. The challenge for infrastructure providers like Uisce Éireann is to work out how we can mobilise our workforce, funding, processes and supply chains to support these targets on top of our existing obligations. Mr Gleeson said Uisce Éireann "is not a housing delivery body" but is tasked with ensuring the provision of water and wastewater infrastructure for the construction of new developments and for the homes when they are completed. The Dublin area in particular is "running out of road" in terms of headroom and that projects in Dublin and the Eastern and Midlands region are on the cusp of critical phases, the committee heard. "Until we address the challenges highlighted in planning, consenting and funding, Uisce Éireann remains concerned about the level of risk in these projects," said Mr Gleeson. With the demand outstripping the supply in Dublin on certain days already this year, it was warned that the area could be one fine day away from the introduction of water restrictions. Funding is just one element that is needed to deliver the big and small projects that need to be delivered. Infrastructure projects need to be prioritised when it comes to planning, the process needs to be streamlined and the committee heard that when it comes to consent, there is an element of 'nimbyism' (not in my back yard). Mr Gleeson told the committee that the utility has "consistently advocated for an urgent approach" to addressing the issues facing infrastructure projects and reiterated the need for a sense of urgency. Read More Ireland facing sand and gravel shortage due to planning delays, industry warns
RTÉ News
4 days ago
- RTÉ News
Cttee hears Triple Lock dilutes Ireland's sovereignty
An Oireachtas committee has heard that the Triple Lock dilutes Ireland's sovereignty and undermines the UN Charter. The Joint Committee on Defence and National Security is debating the legislation that would remove the need for UN approval when deploying more than 12 members of the Defence Forces overseas. The Defence (Amendment) Bill 2025 would remove the Triple Lock when they are serving as part of an international force. Former TD Cathal Berry, a former army ranger, said that the Triple Lock "absolutely" dilutes Ireland's sovereignty. He said that, currently, Ireland is giving some of its "democratic power" to "kings and queens and authoritarian rulers and wannabe dictators all over the world". The UN Charter encourages regional oversight of peacekeeping which, he said, the Triple Lock undermines. Major General Maureen O'Brien (Retired) said that when she was selecting from the 119 nations which contribute to UN forces, whether a country was neutral or had a Triple Lock was "never a consideration". It is seen only as a "national issue". Major General O'Brien deployed overseas nine times, eight times with the UN. She led a multinational force of 1,100 that oversaw a ceasefire between Israel and Syria and said that impartiality was essential in dealing with both sides. From UN headquarters she oversaw all peacekeeping deployments. She told the committee that the Triple Lock prevents Ireland from deciding where to deploy its peace troops. "We cannot make our own decisions. We are dependent on five countries telling us whether we can deploy. I think that reduces our sovereignty. And perhaps our neutrality as well," she said. "12 troops isn't enough to do anything," she said. "You need at least 50 people." General Kieran Brennan (Retired) said he supports the proposed changes to the Triple Lock, as countries such as Gaza, Ukraine and Congo are crying out for peacekeepers. "No, I've no reservations," he replied, when asked if he had concerns over there being sufficient safeguards in the legislation. Colonel Colm Doyle (Retired) said that Ireland has the longest unbroken record "of any nation" for sending troops on UN peacekeeping missions, something he described as "noble". He said that claims that changes to the Triple Lock would undermine neutrality were "greatly misjudged". The UNSC is flawed, he said, as Ireland's participation on peacekeeping "can effectively be held hostage" by any permanent member of the security council. Labour TD Duncan Smith cautioned against Ireland turning its back on the UN which is greatly weakened. Major General O'Brien told the committee that when a country provides personnel to the UN, it must sign a Statement of Unit Requirements. This is a contractual agreement covering finances and all conditions of the troops' deployment. For Irish personnel, the statement always includes a provision that military command and control remains with the Irish unit at all times.
