Simon Coveney outlines plans for housing solution

A fast-track planning process for large developments and a special ‘use it or lose it’ infrastructure fund for local authorities are options being considered to help solve the housing crisis, Housing Minister Simon Coveney has said.

Unused land banks across Dublin, Cork, Limerick, and Athlone, Co Westmeath, are also being targeted for development to help build thousands of mixed purpose housing units.

The emergency measures are outlined in an interview given by Mr Coveney to the Irish Examiner. Mr Coveney also, for the first time, signals that water charges may be suspended for longer than nine months and that “flexibility” on this has been sought from Brussels.