The Irish Homebuilders Association, an association within the CIF, is inviting all new TDs and local politicians to a series of regional roadshows. The purpose of these meetings is to inform politicians about the specific challenges preventing homebuilding in their areas.
Director of Housing, Planning and Development with CIF, James Benson said: “The reality is that homebuilders face multiple barriers preventing them from building the numbers that our communities and society requires. These barriers are the reason people can’t secure homes, rents are high, social housing lists are swelling and more and more young couples are in ‘rental purgatory. Housing was the key issue in the last election so it’s vital that whoever forms the next Government understand the challenges on the front-line of housing.
“We’re inviting local politicians and TDs to attend to hear first-hand some of the barriers facing homebuilders. The workshops will provide the latest information on all housing and planning issues to ensure that companies are up to date with changes in legislation and regulation prior to engagement with statutory agencies.”
Chairman of the Irish Home Builders Association (IHBA) Neil Durkan said: “Any homebuilder is welcome to attend the Annual Irish Home Builders Association Regional Workshops and they will provide really valuable insights into the current issues blocking supply.
“The key challenge facing the industry is the fact that young people can’t secure mortgages. Many have been forced into longer term rental with very little prospect of saving for a deposit. The result of fewer couples with mortgages is less people capable of buying a home. This means banks won’t lend to home-builders so supply remains low. On the other side, the cost of construction is too high due to the Government tax take on every home built. This means higher prices in Dublin and little or no homebuilding outside the capital.
“The exorbitant tax take by Government means that as our industry strives to play its role in addressing climate concerns and build better quality more energy efficient homes, additional regulation make homebuilding impossible.”
Paul McDonnell, Head of Property Finance Group, Corporate Banking, Bank of Ireland said: “Bank of Ireland is delighted to partner with the Construction Industry Federation and Irish Home Builders Association on these workshops. Accelerating housing supply is critical for the wellbeing of society and the future success of the country. Bank of Ireland will continue to support developers of all scales nationally. We hope you find these workshops enjoyable and informative and our team looks forward to meeting you there.”
Chairman of the Irish Home Builders Association (IHBA) Neil Durkan added: “We have, over the past nine months held several meetings with the outgoing government and their senior civil servants as well as the opposition spokespersons on housing with the same message –the FTB needs state support in the form of a Shared Equity Scheme (SES).
“We need a scheme that will assist FTB’s to get on the property ladder with the aid of the state. The SES is a loan in the form of equity and as such over the longer term it will be repaid to the state.
“Our message to any politicians attending or otherwise from any party is without a SES many more people will be forced into long term rental and increase the numbers forced onto social housing lists. The clock is already ticking for the next Government, if they don’t remove some of these barriers, housing supply will not increase and they will have to face an electorate that has lost patience with the system when it comes to housing.”
The IHBA workshops will include presentations and Q&A’s with expert panels including representatives from the Office of Planning Regulator, Irish Water, ESB Networks, Beauparc Group & HBFI and Bank of Ireland.
Each session will run through the technical issues of various topics from Building Regulations, Planning & Development, Finance, Utilities, C&D Waste.
The Workshops are open to CIF members and non-members and will provide an opportunity for updates on the regulatory and economic environment affecting homebuilders.
IHBA Regional Housing Workshops 2020 – Dates – Venues -Times
Thursday, 13th February ‘20 – Ardboyne Hotel, Navan, Dublin Rd, Meath from 3.00-5.00pm
Tuesday, 18th February ‘20 – Maldron Hotel, Galway, Sandy Rd, from 9.00 – 11.00am
Tuesday, 18th February ‘20 – Sligo Park Hotel, Pearse Rd, Cornageeha, from 3.30 – 5.00pm
Thursday, 20th February ‘20 – Lyrath Estate Hotel, Paulstown Rd, Kilkenny – from 9.00-11.00am
Thursday, 20th February ‘20 – Tullamore Court Hotel, O’ Moore St – from 3.00-5.00pm
Thursday, 5th March ‘20 – CIF Office, Little Island, Cork – from 9.00-11.00am
Thursday, 5th March ‘20 – Radisson Blu Hotel, Ennis Rd, Burtonhill, Limerick from 3.00-5.00pm
Friday, 6th March ‘20 – The Tower Hotel, The Mall, Waterford from 9.00-11.00am
Thursday, 12th March ‘20 – Chartered Accountants Ireland, 47/49 Pearse Street, Dublin from 3.00-5.00pm
For further information see: https://cif.ie/ihba-workshops/
