Spokesperson on Justice and TD for Dublin Bay South Jim O’Callaghan, has welcomed CSO housing completion data which shows that 8,452 new homes were added to the housing stock in Q3 2023 – up 14% on the same period in 2022 and 15% on Q2 2023. Deputy O’Callaghan said the uptick in stock in Dublin was particularly welcome.
He also welcomed the strong housing budget for 2024 and the ‘across the board’ increases in allocations which were set out by Minister Darragh O’Brien in response to Deputy O’Callaghan.
Commenting he said, “In the first nine months of this year we’ve seen 22,433 homes completed, a 9% increase on the same period last year. This completion data comes on the back of equally positive commencement data published by the Department last week which shows that 2,607 new homes were commenced in September 2023. This is an increase of 18% on the number of new homes commenced in the same month last year.
“This activity is being spurred by the investment the Government is making in housing, more than €4.5BN this year with a further €5BN allocated for next year. The information I received from the Minister shows the allocations under each housing programme for next year, with increases seen across the board.
“These increases are absolutely necessary as we focus on our objectives of home ownership, affordable rental and of course in looking after those who need our assistance most – those in emergency accommodation or rough sleeping. I sought assurances from the Minister that the funding allocated will be enough to meet projected needs and I am happy to have received this assurance.
“I was particularly pleased to see that additional National Development Plan Capital funding expenditure of €250m in capital funding for 2024 will distributed in the coming months and the Minister informed me he will be putting forward a strong case for this additional investment,” he concluded.
ENDS