- SCSI welcomes increased commitments in new housing plan but says its success will be measured against delivery
- “Administrative silos, planning delays, a lack of resources and difficulties accessing schemes have plagued previous plans”
- SCSI calls for urgent appointment of CEO of Housing Activation Office to ensure these blockages are cleared
Thursday 13th November 2025: The Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland has welcomed the Government’s renewed commitment to deliver 300,000 new homes by 2030, which was announced in its new housing plan, but warned that its success or failure can only be measured against the delivery of those targets.
According to the plan, the State will deliver 72,000 social homes as well as 90,000 starter homes as part of that overall total. The Plan also promises to bring 20,000 derelict homes back into use through the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant.
The SCSI, has long been calling for increased grants for the refurbishment of vacant and derelict properties as well as the introduction of a feasibility grant for people looking to restore such buildings.
It said the increase in the grants available for refurbishment, the introduction of an Expert Advice Grant and the extension of the scheme to include an ‘Above the Shop’ top-up grant were particularly welcome.
The President of the SCSI, Gerard O’Toole, said that the housing crisis continued to be the biggest challenge facing the country and that unless it was tackled head-on, the wider societal and economic consequences would only deepen further.
He said that while increased investment from the State was very welcome, the administrative blockages and planning delays which have plagued previous housing plans remain and need to be tackled as a matter of urgency.
“We also need to breakdown the silos that appear to exist across Government departments and agencies if we are to ensure the efficient and timely delivery of new housing. For example, a more joined-up, cross-agency approach is badly needed to tackle infrastructural bottlenecks, particularly in relation to electricity and water supply and connections. To ensure these blockages are cleared, we are calling for the urgent appointment of a CEO to the new Housing Activation Office.”
“For several years, planning delays and judicial reviews, often taken by one person or a small group have frustrated the construction of key infrastructure and much needed housing. This cannot be allowed to continue.”
“The new plan places more responsibility on local authorities to hit their social housing targets, but the question remains, do they have the skills and resources to meet that challenge. In the past people have very often found it difficult to access state backed schemes which aimed at bringing buildings back to life. This complexity and red tape need to be addressed,” Mr O’Toole concluded.
For media queries please call the SCSI at (01) 6445500 and ask for Patrick King