Ireland round-up: Draft housing action plan commits to 45,000 new social homes by 2021; Population at highest in over 150 years despite high emigration

Draft housing action plan commits to 45,000 new social homes by 2021

A state fund to buy distressed properties from banks and a pledge to build 45,000 new social houses by 2021 are at the centre of the Irish Government’s much-anticipated plan to tackle the housing crisis, which is due to be published next week.

The Planner 

New PM announces communities secretary in cabinet reshuffle

The UK’s new Prime Minister Theresa May has appointed new communities, transport and energy secretaries in a cabinet reshuffle.

The Planner 

Population at highest in over 150 years despite high emigration

Latest census figures show the Republic of Ireland’s population has climbed to its highest level in more than 150 years despite high levels of emigration.

Irish Times

UK company to create 4,000 new units for student accommodation in Ireland

A UK-based development company is to invest up to €400 million in student accommodation in a number of Irish cities over the next number of years.

Irish Independent 

‘Unacceptable’ - Ireland’s 2,751 vacant social housing units

There are more than 2,751 housing units in local authority ownership lying vacant, according to statistics released under Freedom of Information legislation.

The Journal 

New bridge will connect Poolbeg peninsula to the docklands

Construction of a €30 million bridge linking Dublin’s south docks with the planned new “urban quarter” on the Poolbeg peninsula is to be fast-tracked by Dublin City Council.

Irish Times 

Dún Laoghaire shopping centre revamp gets the go-ahead

Planning permission has been granted for a €10 million redevelopment of the Dún Laoghaire Shopping Centre that should be completed by the second quarter of 2017.

Irish Times 

Malahide Demesne car park proposal approved

Fingal County Councillors have voted to approve a controversial proposal to extend a car park and provide a forest adventure facility in the Malahide Demesne.

Irish Times 

Minister urged to take heat out of forestry issue in Leitrim

Farmers in Leitrim are protesting about the scale of forestry planting under way amid fears the county will be turned into a “carbon sink”.

Irish Times 

Business lobby group wants a €1bn social housing spend

Employers group IBEC has called on the government to seek EU permission to spend €1 billion on social housing.

The Journal 

Ireland could soon have its own floating hotel

Dun Laoghaire Harbour could have its own floating hotel under plans by the company that runs the port, with a cruise liner with around 100 cabins permanently berthed at a pier in the harbour.

Irish Independent