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Irish Daily Mirror
4 days ago
- Politics
- Irish Daily Mirror
Taoiseach confirms delay to publication of Government's new housing plan
The publication of the Government's new housing plan will be delayed by several months, Taoiseach Micheál Martin has confirmed. It had been widely briefed that the new successor to the Housing for All plan would be published in July. However, the Government will now wait for the National Development Plan (NDP) to be published first. The Irish Mirror understands that this is likely to be done at the end of July. Asked about the plan, Mr Martin admitted that the new housing plan will be delayed. He said: "It may not be July, because of the NDP. "It makes sense, in terms of the NDP, that we would have the financial allocations for housing in advance of the plan itself. "We're very determined that there's a very clear, precise, transparent medication for housing in the NDP." When asked if September would be more likely, the Taoiseach responded "possibly", but argued that the Government has taken several measures on housing. This is a further setback for the Government's housing track record, with Housing Minister James Browne admitting last week that the Government's self-imposed target of 41,000 new homes in 2025 is "not realistic". The Government missed its housing targets last year. Elsewhere, the Government has also been forced to defend plans that went to Cabinet on student accommodation today. Under plans brought to Cabinet by Higher Education Minister James Lawless, new national design standards for student accommodation will favour twin bedrooms and shared bathrooms over "individual ensuite units." Super Junior Minister Sean Canney stated that the Government was "trying to crunch people in" to student accommodation. He said: "When you have a construction cost that's very high, it's important that you design in a smart way so that you utilise all the spaces that you have for the purposes it is needed for. "I think it's important we understand that. This is not trying to crunch people in or have to share. It's actually providing that variety without compromising on the quality of the building at the same time, reducing cost and giving the student the accommodation." The opposition was critical of the plans, with the Social Democrats' housing spokesman, Rory Hearne, accusing the Government of "tinkering around the edges". He said, "It is not really addressing the fundamental issue, which is the failure of the government to fund the building of student housing."
The Journal
4 days ago
- Business
- The Journal
Government confirms that revised Housing for All plan will be delayed
TAOISEACH MICHEÁL MARTIN has confirmed that the revised Housing for All plan, which was due to be published next month, has been delayed. Asked today during a press conference if September is a more reasonable timeline, he responded: 'Possibly'. 'We're getting on with it,' he added. The revised housing plan will replace the former Housing for All plan (which sets out the country's overall approach to housing) put in place by the last coalition. Martin said today he now wants the National Development Plan (NDP) finalised first. This plan, which sets out the government's infrastructure spending, is expected in late July. Advertisement 'It makes sense in terms of the NDP that we would have a financial allocation for housing in advance of the [Housing for All] plan itself,' the Taoiseach said. Since the general election, the government has come under fierce pressure in terms of its housing targets. Just this month, Housing Minister James Browne said the current annual target of 41,000 new homes in 2025 is 'not realistic'. Last year, the government fell short of its target of approximately 40,000 new homes by about 10,000. Browne admitted that because of this low output for 2024 it will be a 'challenge' to meet this year's target. It is expected that the government will set out revised housing targets for the coming years in the new Housing for All plan. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
Irish Examiner
4 days ago
- Business
- Irish Examiner
Government's new housing plan delayed, says Taoiseach
The Government's new housing plan has been delayed until the autumn, the Taoiseach has said. It had been expected a revised Housing for All plan would be ready and published next month, however, Micheál Martin has confirmed this will now be delayed. He said he wanted to first see the National Development Plan (NDP), which will set out multi-year spending on infrastructure and is expected to be ready in late July. 'It makes sense in terms of the NDP that we would have a financial allocation for housing in advance of the [Housing for All] plan itself,' the Taoiseach said. Asked if publication of the housing plan could be pushed out as far as September, Mr Martin said: "Possibly'. 'We're getting on with it,' he added. Tourist tax 'unrealistic' Meanwhile, Tánaiste Simon Harris has suggested it would be "unrealistic" to introduce a tourist tax in the next 12 months. While Mr Harris said there would be "benefit" in such a tax "if done the right way", he stressed the timing of introducing the levy was critical. He said he thought the idea of it being implemented for the next 12 months was "highly unlikely". He cited the body of work that would have to be undertaken ahead of any change, including the establishment of a register. "There can be a significant benefit in a tourist tax, if done in the correct way. Many, many European capital cities have it. But of course, you want to get the time right. He added: "We want to empower the local authority. So this would ultimately be about Dublin City Council deciding. If Dublin City Council wants to have another revenue stream, and then the idea that people who visit our city would make a small contribution that would go back into the city council coffers to help them deliver some of the projects." Read More Hotel lobby quietly backs introduction of a tourist tax, says Fine Gael TD
India Gazette
6 days ago
- Politics
- India Gazette
Tejashwi Yadav says Bihar polls will be
Patna (Bihar) [India], June 22 (ANI): Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav has said that the coming Bihar assembly will be an 'election for change' and accused the BJP and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar of doing little for Bihar in their rule, saying the state continues to face several challenges including poverty and unemployment. He attacked Nitish Kumar and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying the ruling alliance should spell out one development indicator in which Bihar is number one in the country. He said that despite Janata Dal-Untied leader Nitish Kumar being in power for nearly 20 years and Narendra Modi serving as Prime Minister for 11 years, Bihar continues to remain at the bottom in key indicators such as per capita income and education. 'Bihar is number one in poverty, unemployment, has maximum migration, it is lowest in per capita income, per capita investment, we are far behind in healthcare, education,' he said. Tejashwi Yadav said that RJD and other allies of Mahagathbandhan are ready for the assembly polls later this year. 'We were ready last time also, this election is going to be election of change,' he said, adding that they lost the previous assembly polls by a narrow vote margin. The former Bihar Deputy Chief Minister claimed that as per NCRB data, crime incidents have increased since 2005 in the state. Targeting PM Modi, he said the Prime Minister promises to make every election-bound state 'number one state' in the country. 'Don't know which state will be number two, three...', he said. 'People gave Nitish Kumar 20 years to serve the state and PM Modi has been Prime Minister for 11 years. They have done nothing for Bihar. PM said they will give special is it, people of Bihar want to know, they country has not seen a better actor and person speaking lies than Modiji,' he alleged. Tejashwi Yadav alleged that PM Modi has not fulfilled promises of bringing back black money, people getting Rs 15 lakh in their accounts and two crore jobs being generated annually. He also alleged that promises concerning Housing for All and on construction of toilets have remained unfulfilled. Asked about BJP-led repeatedly getting mandate of people at the Centre and also in Bihar, Tejashwi Yadav claimed it is due to 'propaganda' and alleged that 'all institutions have been hijacked'. He also made light of announcements in the union budget for Bihar, saying old schemes have been announced and can't be counted as special package. The RJD leader said that Union Textiles Minister Giriraj Singh is a MP from Bihar but when textile parks (PM Mega Integrated Textile Region and Apparel - PM MITRA) were announced, there was none for the state. 'Out of nine parks, none have been allocated to Bihar. There are so many union ministers from Bihar...,' he said. Asked about a whole list of development works cited by BJP and JD-U leaders and their assertions that migration has decreased, the number of schools increased, and paper leaks have stopped, Tejashwi Yadav asked if there was any exam without paper leak except for the period when he was Deputy Chief Minister in the coalition government. 'During the 17 months, five lakh posts were filled. They say school building has been constructed, but where are the teachers? Bihar is struggling with hunger, poverty, and hopelessness. What is the change in last 20 years,' he asked. Political parties are gearing up their preparation for the assembly polls. Nitish Kumar announced on Saturday that pension to widows, senior citizens and people with disabilities would be increased from Rs 400 to Rs 1100 per month. (ANI)
Time of India
20-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
As BMC polls near, BJP again seeks rehab for first-floor slumdwellers in Mumbai
Mumbai: BJP has again started lobbying to make slumdwellers living on the first floor of hutments eligible for free or affordable housing. Officials said the proposal will soon be sent to the state cabinet for approval. If cleared, said political observers, it will be seen as an attempt by BJP to woo voters ahead of BMC polls. In Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA) schemes, only families living on the ground floor of slums are eligible for free housing or under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY).by paying Rs 2.5 lakh. Those living on the first floor are not eligible even if they are living there from before 2000. Following former BJP corporator Vinod Mishra's demand for rehab of first-floor slumdwellers, Mumbai Suburban guardian minister Ashish Shelar on Thursday held a review meeting and asked officials to submit a proposal before the cabinet. "The meeting was positive," Shelar told TOI. "There are many legal chawls in declared slum areas that are ground-plus one or two structures. These first- or second-floor residents will be made eligible in SRA schemes. As far as other slums are concerned, the first-floor structures will be surveyed and will be made eligible for PMAY, as per rules." In 2023, a govt resolution (GR) was issued fixing the cost for all such post-2000 beneficiaries at Rs 2.5 lakh (estimated construction cost). "Under the slum protection policy, if a structure came up between 2001 and 2011 and if the resident is able to produce documents to show that the hut existed anytime during this period, she/he will be eligible for a rehab flat on the payment of Rs 2.5 lakh. If a decision is taken, then this same format will be applicable for those living on the first floor," said a senior official. Pointing out that Housing for All is the PM's dream and the Devendra Fadanvis-led Mahayuti govt has been positive about this initiative, Mishra said: "Officials said the file was with the finance department and will be soon placed before the state cabinet. Once that is done, a GR will be issued." In his letter to Shelar, Mishra stated: "We had drawn attention to this issue in 2023 too. The SRA CEO had submitted a proposal to the housing to include the ineligible residents of the first floor in slum rehab schemes. The CM also took a positive the legislative assembly. The housing department conducted a thorough verification of relevant documents was completed. It was concluded that there is no the final approval and GR are still pending. If this decision is taken, it will strengthen state govt's role."
