Govt in 'full-blown panic' over housing, says McDonald | Breaking News & Latest Ireland Updates

Govt in 'full-blown panic' over housing, says McDonald — The Government is in "full-blown" panic over housing, and it "took the biscuit" that the solution was to hire someone on almost €500,000 to essentiall...

The Government is in "full-blown" panic over housing, and it "took the biscuit" that the solution was to hire someone on almost €500,000 to essentially job share with the Minister for Housing, Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald has said.

Ms Lou McDonald said that what struck home to her this week was that both the Taoiseach and the Tánaiste were completely unable to describe, explain or rationalise the role of this "csar position", within the new Housing Activation Office, except to set out tasks that rightfully fall to the minister.

It follows theannouncement last night by NAMA chief Brendan McDonagh that he no longer wishes to be considered for the role of CEO of the Government's Housing Activation Office.

A meeting of the Cabinet housing committee yesterday heard that more work was needed around the staffing of the new unit.

It followed sustained opposition criticism of Mr McDonagh's salary of more than €430,000, which he was set to retain in this new role.

Speaking on RTÉ's Morning Ireland, Ms McDonald said the Government has failed on housing and the issue is not due to a lack of personnel or officials, but one of policy and leadership.

Read More:How setting up a new housing office snowballed into controversy

She said that the problem goes beyond the proposition of an ill-defined housing csar, describing it as more distraction politics by the Government.

She said her party will not countenance creating another highly paid job and another layer of bureaucracy when there is already a Minister for Housing, "themselves on a significant salary and sitting at Cabinet", leading on housing.

"It took the biscuit and the last word that the big idea was to hire someone on almost half a million euro to essentially job share with the minister," she added.

The new Housing Activation Office is expected to be established by June.

The office is aiming to remove barriers to the delivery of homes across the country.

The unit will have a focus on working with local authorities, builders and utility providers to get homes built quicker.

Speaking on the same programme, Fianna FÁil TD Christopher O'Sullivan said focusing on Mr McDonagh is not helpful and will not get a house built.

The Minister of State at the Department of Housing said the Housing Activation Office should be welcomed, and that the job description and salary of the CEO would be agreed at a later stage.

Mr O'Sullivan said the Government does realise there is an issue in housing, but said it has delivered 130,000 homes since the last government was formed and quarter one figures so far this year are looking positive in terms of completions and vacancy grants.

He added: "[Minister for Housing] James Browne is spending every waking minute to try work out ways and methods to decrease homelessness, home affordability and supply.

"We need to pull ever single lever across Government and every single department to ensure sites are activated and housing supply is increased."