What is the Housing Activation Office, who will lead it? | Breaking News & Latest Ireland Updates

What is the Housing Activation Office, who will lead it? — Political Correspondent The Housing Activation Office has been established within the Department of Housing by Minister James Browne. The Government s...

Political Correspondent

The Housing Activation Office has been established within the Department of Housing by Minister James Browne.

The Government says the establishment of the office is needed to "ensure a radical step change in housing supply" and to quickly address "barriers to the delivery of vital public infrastructure projects needed to enable greater housing development".

However, Opposition TDs havecriticised the position and its proposed salary of €430,000 for the person who will head up the office.

Here is everything we know about the new Housing Activation Office.

What is the Housing Activation Office?

It is a new unit within the Department of Housing tasked with finding solutions to issues that are preventing the building of homes across the country.

It will bring together local authorities, utility and infrastructure providers and industry.

There will be a focus on things such as construction difficulties, along with water and grid connections.

Why was the office established?

It was promised in the Programme for Government.

The selling point is that an expert team will focus on activating sites and getting shovels moving where they are stalled.

However, the Opposition parties say this is already the job of the Minister for Housing.

Sinn Féin Leader Mary Lou McDonald described the new body as an "outrageous" and "expensive job share".

Who will lead the new office?

NAMA boss Brendan McDonagh is Minister for Housing James Browne's preferred candidate.

Officially no decision has been taken yet, but the appointment is likely to be rubber stamped by the Government before the end of the week.

It will be a controversial move though because Mr McDonagh is currently on a salary of €430,000.

He is expected to remain on this lucrative level of remuneration.

Taoiseach Mícheál Martin has insisted there will be no additional cost to the taxpayer given that new office boss is already receiving this public service wage.

Will that be a political hot potato?

Yes.

Comments by the Social Democrats TD Rory Hearne sum up the general sentiment of the Opposition.

He said at a time when the Government is postponing the introduction of a living wage, it is outrageous that it should create a gold-plated position with a salary package worth almost €500,000.

What are the other criticisms?

Some TDs are taking issue with Mr McDonagh's work in NAMA, which was about selling distressed property assets to the highest bidder.

Independent Ireland TD Ken O'Flynn said he feared this could lead to an overemphasis on foreign investment and vulture funds in the Irish housing market.