Government's housing office will 'make itself redundant in a few years'

The strategic housing office will be headed by Brendan McDonagh, the chief executive of the National Asset Management Agency, who will retain his €430,000 a year salary

Taoiseach Micheál Martin said he understood public concerns about the reported salary for Brendan McDonagh, but his 'over-arching concern' is about getting houses built quickly. File Picture: Sam Boal/Rollingnews.ie

A new office to speed up home building will "make itself redundant" by clearing blockages, the Government hopes.

Housing minister James Browne will on Tuesday bring the terms of reference for the strategic housing office, which will be headed by Brendan McDonagh — the chief executive of the National Asset Management Agency (Nama) —  who will retain his €430,000 a year salary.

Mr Browne is expected to chair two new committees within the new strategic housing activation office. This includes a committee which will be made up of chief executives of major utility providers.

One government source said the establishment of the office was a signal as to the importance of dealing with the housing emergency.

They pushed back on assertions it was akin to a second housing minister, saying that it is a “practical” measure to deal with blockages in the system. 

The source added this office would not be a permanent fixture into the long term, but would “make itself redundant in a few years” when blockages are resolved.

It’s understood that the office itself will be tasked with delivering on a site-by-site level, particularly seeking to unblock barriers on zoned lands that can deliver housing in the short to medium-term.

Sources have indicated that this will be focused on areas with the greatest need, alongside areas where significant amounts of housing can be delivered.

The office will also have powers to coordinate infrastructure development, which will be measured against targets and timelines, it is understood.

Salary concerns

On Monday, Taoiseach Micheál Martin said he understood public concerns about the reported salary for Mr McDonagh, but his “over-arching concern” is about getting houses built quickly.

He declined to comment on the salary figure itself, saying the Government is yet to make formal decision on Mr McDonagh’s appointment.

The minister for further and higher education, James Lawless, will bring a memo outlining proposals to amend the National Training Fund and withdraw €650m from the €1.8bn fund up to 2030. 

It will mean a further €150m for the higher education sector a year.

Auto-enrolment pensions will not be brought in this year, the social protection minister is set to confirm to Cabinet on Tuesday.

The measure had been seen as a marquee achievement of the previous government and was due to begin in September, but will not now come into place until January, Dara Calleary will tell ministers.