Government plan to build 47,000 social houses will take ‘few years’

The Government’s plan to build 47,000 social houses will “take a few years” to be completed, it was admitted yesterday.

The chairperson of the national sub-committee on housing of the Local Government Management Association has said the plan to bring 47,000 units into the social housing stock is achievable but it will take time.

Eugene Cummins, who is also chief executive of Roscommon County Council, said because of the need for planning permission and tendering processes, it will be some time before new houses can be built.