An action plan to build more homes and address the homeless crisis throughout Ireland has been launched by the Government.

'Rebuilding Ireland - an Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness' was launched by An Taoiseach Enda Kenny.

The plan also aims to accelerate social housing and improve the rental sector.

The Taoiseach said: "In forming the current Government, I was determined that the housing challenge was going to be addressed fully and finally which is why it was positioned as a key objective in the Programme for a Partnership Government. The publication of this Action Plan on Housing and Homelessness, well within the timeframe of 100 days set out in the Government Programme, underpins our commitment to end the housing shortage and to tackle homelessness. This is a cross-Government plan, which also stretches beyond into the local government and voluntary sectors. I am committed to ensuring that it results in us achieving our critical national ambition of ensuring that all our people have access to quality and affordable housing, either through their own endeavours or with the support of the State."

-- Advertisement --

The Irish Council for Social Housing (ICSH) welcomed the Action Plan.

Commenting on the Plan, ICSH CEO Dr. Donal McManus said: "The Plan and its prioritisation in Government is very welcome and in order for it to make a real impact a continued high level of political leadership will be required.

"We particularly welcome the measures to underpin the work of housing associations including development of a co-ordination unit to assist housing association supply, the commitment to provide state land to housing associations and to support an SPV for the sector to utilise finance from non-state sources”. “The ICSH has sought these commitments for some time to assist the housing association sector to continue to provide much needed social housing."

(CD/MH)