A Laois Fine Gael TD has welcomed the Government's new housing plan that aims to deliver 300,000 new homes by 2030.

'Delivering Homes, Building Communities' was published on Thursday, detailing the Government's plans to 'significantly accelerate' the delivery of housing and 'ending homelessness' through regulatory reform, tax incentives and a massive capital investment of €275 billion in infrastructure over the next ten years through the National Development Plan.

Sinn Féin has dismissed this plan as 'nothing new', and has criticised the Government's removal of annual housing targets from the plan. 

Pictured: a new housing development underway in Graiguecullen

Laois Fine Gael Deputy Willie Aird has said that housing has been 'the unrelenting focus' of Fine Gael since their return to government.

“The measures in the new housing plan will have tangible benefits and will lead to a significant increase in the construction of homes for people throughout Laois," Deputy Aird said.

“We are increasing supply by removing blockages to the delivery of housing, zoning more land for development, and building more homes backed by a housing budget of €36 billion.

“Fine Gael is providing housing options for people with allowing modular-style homes in back gardens without needing planning permission and we have changed the rules to allow developers deliver new standalone wastewater treatment plans to speed up housing supply in towns and villages," the Laois Deputy said.

“We are giving certainty and protection to renters through national rent controls, publishing a rent price register and strengthening the regulation of the short-term letting sector.

“We are empowering local authorities to tackle vacancy and dereliction in Laois giving them powers to bring back homes to the housing market and introducing a new Derelict Property Tax which will be collected by Revenue," he said.

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Deputy Aird also stated that Fine Gael intends to support those 'most vulnerable'.

"We’re providing €563 million in homelessness services to build on the almost 9,000 prevention and exits from emergency accommodation last year and removing barriers for victims of domestic violence to support them moving to a safe home," the Deputy said.

“We’re also increasing the provision of homes suitable for older people and giving them more choice. A review of the planning exemptions for those who wish to convert their homes into separate living spaces and supporting rightsizing will help more older people make the decision they want.

“This plan ensures that the State will do more in housing, but it will also empower the private sector to further play a critical part in delivery. These measures will have tangible benefits for families and individuals looking to buy or rent right across Laois,” Deputy Aird concluded.

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