Simon Harris, the leader of Fine Gael in Ireland, has set ambitious goals for housing construction in the country. He aims to deliver 250,000 new homes between 2025 and 2030. This article discusses his plans to ramp up capacity, address legislative issues, and prioritize house building as a key priority.
Simon Harris, the leader of Fine Gael in Ireland, has expressed his determination to elevate the government’s ambitions regarding house-building targets, emphasising the achievability of delivering 250,000 new homes within a five-year span. This commitment, spanning from 2025 to 2030, is expected to address the pressing housing needs in the country. Harris acknowledged that reaching this goal might require a phased approach, recognising the necessity to gradually enhance construction capacity.
While setting forth his vision, Harris clarified that the target of 250,000 homes would not entail a uniform distribution of 50,000 units annually. Acknowledging the current pace of construction in Ireland, which is projected to yield around 35,000 new homes this year, Harris aligned his approach with the realistic assessment made by outgoing Taoiseach Leo Varadkar. Varadkar had previously conceded that achieving a construction rate of 50,000 homes per year by 2025 might not be feasible.
Harris concurred with Varadkar’s evaluation, hinting at a backloading element in his proposed housing target. Should Fine Gael secure re-election in the upcoming year, Harris foresees a scenario where a greater number of homes would be delivered in the latter part of the five-year period. During his address at the Fine Gael ard fheis in Galway, Harris emphasized the pivotal role of policies like the waiver on development levies and the Help to Buy support scheme in realising the ambitious goal of 250,000 new homes.
In a recent interview, Harris reiterated his commitment to delivering 250,000 homes by 2030, underlining the importance of strategic planning and increased ambition in the housing sector. He stressed the need to communicate a clear message to the citizens of Ireland, particularly the younger generation and families living in constrained conditions, about the imperative to upscale housing construction efforts.
As Harris prepares to assume the role of taoiseach, his comprehensive approach to housing construction targets and legislative scrutiny reflects a commitment to addressing critical issues impacting Ireland’s future. By prioritising strategic planning, policy continuity, and stakeholder engagement, Harris aims to steer the country towards a future where housing needs are met sustainably and inclusively.
