New financial support to help buy a first home or make a fresh start has been launched. Most renters would rather pay a mortgage than rent, this will give them a chance of owning their own home. The First Home Scheme provides financial support to bridge the gap by providing buyers with part of the…
Category: Housing & Planning
Vacant Property Tax
Mary asked the Minister for Finance to update the House on the introduction of a Vacant property tax in Budget 2023, in light of the recent CSO figures showing more than 166,000 vacant homes across the country, with more than 30,000 vacant properties in Dublin alone. We are in a housing emergency and renovating vacant…
Accessible Housing for All
Mary supports “Think Housing, Build Accessible“ petition. Each and every one of us is accountable for ensuring people with disabilities have the right to accessible housing. If you would like to sign the petition, click here Mary spoke about this at a recent Housing Committee 👇
Vacant Property Tax
Mary has renewed her call for vacant property tax as CSO data reveals 166,00 vacant homes and more than 37,000 in Dublin. Renovating vacant properties is the fastest and most sustainable way to increase housing supply. This level of vacancy can’t be countenanced in the face of a housing emergency and the Minister for Finance…
Tax Relief for Apartment Owners
Mary has been working with representatives of Apartment owners who have defects in their homes.She is campaigning to have Government provide tax credit and grants for social landlords, to allow them make their homes safe. Read Mary’s previous contributions on this issue here
Right to Housing
In June 2021 Mary received almost unanimous support in Seanad Eireann for her proposing a constitutional referendum on the right to housing. Following on from the debate Government established a Commission on Housing tasked with examining the issue. The Referendum Subcommittee has been tasked with examining the complex constitutional issues around housing rights and to propose…
Improved Grant & Loans for Warmer Homes
Mary welcomes the approved package of supports to make it easier and more affordable for homeowners to undertake home energy upgrades, for warmer, healthier and more comfortable homes, with lower energy bills. The measures address barriers to undertaking energy upgrades (retrofits) reported by homeowners and those working in the industry. They also reflect the step-change needed – in pace and…
Apartment Defects
The Government are urging people to share their experiences of housing defects relating to fire safety, structural safety and water ingress in purpose-built apartment and duplex buildings constructed in Ireland between 1991 and 2013. These experiences are sought by the Independent Working Group to Examine Defects in Housing which was established by Minister O’Brien in…
New National Housing Strategy for Disabled People 2022 – 2027
Mary welcomes the launch of the new national strategy on housing for Disabled People. Strategy clearly sets out Government’s vision for the delivery of housing and related support services for disabled people over the next five years. New strategy places a greater emphasis on facilitating independent living and being included in the community. A key…
Derelict Housing
As a City Councillor Mary fought to have derelict buildings revamped as much needed homes for people. In December Mary had the opportunity to question Dublin City Council on their efforts to identify derelict housing and to bring it back to housing supply. Mary stated during the proceedings that the housing crisis requires both national…