Ireland

Dublin City Council’s ambitious but controversial plan for a €10 million pedestrianised plaza at the capital’s College Green has been rejected by An Bord Pleanála.

Housing was a significant beneficiary of Ireland’s 2019 Budget announced this week.

Last year An Bord Pleanála struggled to keep pace with a 19 per cent rise in casework, which meant that only 67 per cent of appeal decisions were made within the statutory target, according to the agency’s annual report.

Housing and health ministers have welcomed the launch this week of a national strategy designed to reduce and end rough sleeping and long-term homelessness.