Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Housing, Deputy Séamus McGrath, has welcomed the introduction of a single stage approval process for all social housing projects, announced by Minister for Housing, James Browne TD today.
The introduction of this simplified process is a key commitment in the Programme for Government and will replace the old four step approval process by local authorities.
Today’s announcement will ensure a significant step change in social home delivery and will remove barriers for local authorities in their delivery of social homes, to ensure we build more across the country.
Deputy McGrath has said the new simplified and standardised process will help unlock and increase the delivery of social housing across the country.
“This is a very important change to unlock the true potential of social housing in our local authorities. We want to ensure to remove barriers where there are any to enable the building of social housing in every community across the country.
McGrath added: “Housing is the biggest issue our country faces, and I see that in my own constituency. We must pull every lever at our disposal to ensure we build enough homes for people locally.
To ensure that social housing projects offer value for money, and to promote greater use of Modern Methods of Construction, Minister James Browne will also be mandating the use of a range of specific design layouts and specifications for all new build social housing projects being developed by local authorities and approved housing bodies.
Today’s changes will include a range of benefits such as standardising design in social housing projects, streamlining approvals, and improving cost control for local authorities and the Exchequer.
They also enhance efficiency in tendering and project delivery by giving contractors clearer requirements, while supporting greater use of Modern Methods of Construction in line with government goals.
Deputy McGrath stated that young people want to be in a position where they can buy their own their own home, and by removing barriers to delivery and supply such as the four-stage approval process for local authorities is an essential move to unclog the system.
He said: “This now simplified process will facilitate faster delivery of social homes and enable more homes to be built by local authorities. It lowers costs and ensures greater value for the taxpayer, and will give better planning and coordination guidance for builders, designers and our local councils.
McGrath concluded by stating how pleased he is at the speed of delivery, with the new simplified process to become operational imminently.
“I am pleased to hear that this step change in how we deliver social housing will be introduced in Q3 of this year. That means any new social housing project proposals being developed will be under these new arrangements.
He concluded: “In Fianna Fáil we are committed to taking the key steps towards faster, more efficient homebuilding, and this standardised and simplified process for local authorities will enable just that.
ENDS