Mayo senator questions need for 'housing tsar' to solve housing crisis

A MAYO senator has called for more power to be devolved to local councillors to make decisions on zoning more land for housing instead of hiring a 'housing tsar'.

Speaking in Seanad Éireann on Thursday, Ballina-based Senator Mark Duffy expressed serious concerns at reports that the Government were to appoint a 'housing tsar' to deal with the housing crisis in the state.

The Housing Minister, James Browne TD recently announced the establishment of the Housing Activation Office which will be a new unit within the Department of Housing tasked with finding solutions to issues that are preventing the building of homes across the country.

NAMA boss Brendan McDonagh, was the frontrunner to be the 'housing tsar' to head the new unit but withdrew his name following controversy over his reported €430,000 salary.

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Senator Duffy told the Seanad that the housing crisis would be tackled better if local councillors around the country should be given more authority to deal with housing in their areas.

“In recent days there have been reports about the appointment of a housing tsar to help support the housing crisis we face. I have serious concerns about this concept considering the fact that we have more than 900 tsars in county councils across every local authority. They are our county councillors.

“Devolved functions to zone housing on the ground is what we need to unlock housing supply, and work with potential developers, the utilities and service providers. That is where the war will be won in terms of unlocking housing supply. The sum of €430,000 is an extortionate amount of money for a position that has no clarity on what the holder is going to do.

“I welcome the programme for Government commitment on a housing activation office, but we must have stronger conversations on the concept of a housing tsar in terms of delivery and the empowerment of local authorities,” the Fine Gael Senator said.

Senator Duffy outlined to the Seanad unsuccessful attempts made to zone land for housing in towns and villages in Mayo and how people are being repelled from building in their home area 'by county development plans, local development plans or other bureaucratic excuses'.

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“We have had multiple examples in local area plans where councillors have tried to zone land that is within walking distance of urban centres, has footpaths, broadband, electricity supply and public lighting schemes but they are rejected because of population targets and ceilings that are being put on settlements in counties, towns and villages.

“We must devolve power back to local authorities because we have 900 tsars already in place who are resourced and paid. They just need to be empowered to do that work. That is where we need to have our focus. If we have a housing activation office, it must have devolved functions to every local authority and not be centralised.

“I have concerns that if we have a Housing Activation Office, it will again focus on centralised efforts in cities while towns in more rural areas are left behind. We need to empower the tsars we have and not create another layer of bureaucracy that will potentially impede progress in solving the housing crisis,” he said.

In response, Leas Cathaoirleach of the Seanad, Senator Fiona O'Loughlin said that whoever is appointed head of the Housing Activation Office, it is important they 'knock heads together' to 'examine the blockages that exist' which prevent the quick delivery of housing.