Housing Plan will help deliver the homes needed in Kildare - Minister

Kildare South Fine Gael TD and Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon has said that the Government’s new housing plan highlights the key priorities in delivering more housing for Kildare.

Minister Heydon said since being returned to government, along with delivering for Kildare, housing has been the focus of both him and Fine Gael.

“The measures in the new housing plan will have tangible benefits and will lead to a significant increase in the construction of homes for people throughout Kildare”, he said this week.

“We are increasing supply by removing blockages to the delivery of housing, zoning more land for development, and building more homes backed by a housing budget of €36 billion.

“Fine Gael is providing housing options for people with allowing modular-style homes in back gardens without needing planning permission and we have changed the rules to allow developers deliver new standalone wastewater treatment plans to speed up housing supply in towns and villages across Kildare.”

According to Minister Heydon, renters will be granted certainty and protection through national rent controls, with the publishing of a rent price register and the strengthening of the regulations of the short-term letting sector.

Further, he stated, local authorities such as Kildare County Council are being empowered to tackle vacancy and dereliction, giving them powers to bring back homes to the housing market.

There will also be a new Derelict Property Tax which will be collected by Revenue, he added.

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“Fine Gael also wants to support those most vulnerable, in Kildare and across the country. We’re providing €563 million in homelessness services to build on the almost 9,000 prevention and exits from emergency accommodation last year and removing barriers for victims of domestic violence to support them moving to a safe home”, the Minister said.

“We’re also increasing the provision of homes suitable for older people and giving them more choice in the county. A review of the planning exemptions for those who wish to convert their homes into separate living spaces and supporting right-sizing will help more older people make the decision they want.”

Concluding, Minister Heydon said: “This plan ensures that the State will do more in housing, but it will also empower the private sector to further play a critical part in delivery. These measures will have tangible benefits for families and individuals looking to buy or rent right across Kildare."