The houses of the Oireachtas has passed the Urban Regeneration and Housing Bill – another step in the implementation of the Government's Construction 2020.

There are two main strands to the legislation.

Firstly, a new vacant site levy on housing or regeneration lands suitable for housing but not coming forward for development and, secondly, measures to streamline housing delivery including revisions to social housing and development contributions requirements.

-- Advertisement --

Minister of State, Paudie Coffey, said: "The passage of this Bill is visible demonstration of the Government's commitment to tackle reasons why so many key sites that are suitable for development are not coming forward at a time of such a major need for housing.

"Other countries around Europe and globally are also examining the potential for a vacant site levy to stimulate the release of badly needed land for development in the right locations and Ireland again leads the way in advancing innovative public policy measures like the vacant site levy."

(CD/JP)