The Government has announced new measures to develop more houses in Ireland and create jobs within the construction industry.

From January 2016 the supply of housing is to be increased at more affordable prices.

The actions include:

• Enhanced supply of more affordable starter homes in key locations through a targeted rebate of development contributions in Dublin and Cork for housing supplied under certain price levels;

• New National Apartment Planning Guidelines to be issued by the Environment Minister to reduce the cost of apartment building in Dublin City by approximately €20,000 per unit;

-- Advertisement --

• Changes to aspects of the operation of Strategic Development Zones to enable swifter adjustments to meet market requirements;

• The Governments Irish Strategic Investment Fund (ISIF) to examine funding for housing infrastructure on a case-by-case basis.

Environment Minister Alan Kelly said: "Combined these measures should make badly needed new housing development in our urban centres much more economically viable. We have a major problem in Dublin in that very little housing at affordable levels is being developed and is adding further to our housing pressures and action is required now.

"The revised apartment planning standards will uphold good planning practice and at the same time reduce costs of providing an apartment development by at least €20,000 per unit. While changes of this kind are contemplated in Dublin City Council’s development plan, however there is strong evidence emerging that developers were waiting for these to take effect in 2017 before initiating development and we believe it's time to fast-track the introduction of the National Guidelines."

(CD/LM)