An overall review of Ireland’s housing system including a proposed referendum on housing are some of the main recommendations to feature in a series of reports by the Housing Commission. A radical shift is underway, as recommended by the Commission, due to the Government’s ‘Housing for All’ strategy plan, with many of the recommendations at varying stages of implementation under the plan.
More than 110,000 homes have been delivered since 2020, revealing that increased supply is key to addressing the housing deficit. As part of its ‘Housing for All’ Action Plan, the Department of Housing detailed the approach to the planned review of targets with new targets due to be published this autumn, based on independent, peer reviewed research by the ESRI.
This review will also take account of other inputs, including the hypothetical scenarios set out in the Housing Commission’s report regarding housing demand to 2050. The Report of the Housing Commission includes 83 recommendations together with hundreds of suggested actions, based on over two years of deliberation by the Commission.
As part of the next steps this report will now be sent to the Housing Agency to undertake an analysis in terms of costings, timelines and prioritisation of the recommendations to allow for full consideration. Once that work is complete the Minister for Housing Darragh O’Brien will bring policy recommendations to Government.
The Housing Commission was also set the specific task of making a recommendation to the Government on a proposed referendum on housing. The complexity of this constitutional issue is reflected in the submission of majority and minority reports on possible wording, which provide a comprehensive examination of the options as well as expert analysis.
The Commission’s Reports will be submitted to the Joint Oireachtas Committee for its consideration. An inter-departmental group will also be convened to develop policy recommendations for Government on foot of the Commission’s work. The advice of the Attorney General will also be sought before recommendations are brought to Government.
