Fianna Fail Accused Of 'Making Their Housing Policy Up'

Fianna Fail have been accused of making their housing policy up as they go along.

Sinn Fein made the accusations after Fianna Fail's housing spokesperson Barry Cowen outlined a number of proposals which he said would help tackle the housing crisis.

Sinn Féin housing spokesperson Eoin Ó Broin TD called on Fianna Fáil to "publish the detail and cost of his latest housing policy proposals".

Deputy Ó Broin said: "The plans included a VAT holiday for developers; a cut to development levies; cuts to certification charges; and reductions in planning charges.


"No details or costings for these proposals are available on either Deputy Cowen's or the Fianna Fáil website. Just like Fine Gael it appears that Fianna Fáil are making their housing policy up as they go along.

"The proposed VAT cut would cost the Government up to €240m. Where does Deputy Cowen propose to cut this from next year's budget? How will he ensure that such a cut is passed on to the consumer? Do he really believe that people buying homes for €500,000 or more should benefit to the tune of tens of thousands of euro?

"How is his proposed development levy reduction scheme different from that already in existence? Alan Kelly introduced a development levy rebate scheme in 2015 to encourage affordable home construction. It has been an abject failure.

"Deputy Cowen appears to be proposing cutting development levies to developers who build now. How much will this cost? Where will Local Councils make up the revenue shortfall from? What local service will have to be cut to fund this proposal?"

(CD/LM)