THE Government must prioritise the construction industry as part of the programme for recovery because the number of new houses being constructed nationally is too low to meet demand.
During a Dail debate, Minister of State for Housing and Planning Jan O’Sullivan was told that while the construction industry dominated the economy during the economic boom, it was clear to Patrick O’Donovan TD that the industry needed to be supported now by Government because changes in the planning process were needed to ensure that the Department of the Environment put time limits on the time being taken by An Bord Pleannala in relation to appeals.
Consideration must be given, he said, on different ways of deliver much needed local authority houses.
The State should consider the possibility of public private partnerships with the relevant agencies and the Credit Union movement nationally, according to Deputy O’Donovan.
Welcoming the Department’s announcement of the construction of new local authority houses, it was encouraged that more needed to be done in the area with the Department examining in greater detail the properties and lands owned by the State.
