LAST UPDATE | 3 Sep 2024

HOUSING IS THE key focus for the government according to Taoiseach Simon Harris as attention now turns to October’s budget.

Cabinet is meeting for the first time since the summer break this morning ahead of the Dáil returning in mid-September.

Speaking to reporters this morning at Government Buildings, Harris said the government will publish its new housing targets this Dáil term, stating: 

“I think I’ve been very upfront about this. I think the housing targets are going to be roughly at least 50,000 a year, on average, at least 250,000 over the next five years.

“But it’s not enough to just say that, there obviously needs to be a level of granular detail. How?And I think this is the key question for the opposition parties. Show me, tell me how you’re going to deliver. And that’s really, really important.”

Harris said he wants to see what more can be done in this year’s budget to maximise housing supply.

“I’ve already made the point that I think the generation that most suffered from the mismanagement of this country in the past that led to the financial collapse of our country should now see the proceeds of the sale of bank shares invested in their future, including an additional money into housing,” he added.

Tánaiste Micheál Martin told The Journal yesterday that the government’s “immediate priority” is the budget and ensuring the cost-of-living measures are rolled out before the end of the year.

While inflation has fallen back, prices are still at an elevated level, he said, stating that people are still finding it difficult.

He said departments are continuing to hold budget talks with Department of Public Expenditure, with Martin stating that housing remains the government’s number one issue. He said that is being reflected in budget discussions.

Free contraception

As budget talks intensify, The Journal asked the Taoiseach about two women’s health issues, which Health Minister Stephen Donnelly said he wants to see an expansion of in this year’s budget. 

Donnelly has said he wants the eligibility criteria for the government’s scheme expanded and for free contraception to be rolled out for all women. 

“I do believe in free contraception. When I was Minister for Health, I would have commissioned report in relation to that, and it was a recommendation of the Oireachtas all party committee on the Eighth [Amendment]. I believe it’s important we finish the work of that committee,” said the Taoiseach.

He said constitutional change was an important part of those recommendations, but it wasn’t the only part, “and I would like to see that happen”, he added.

The pace at which that happens is a matter for the budget, said the Taoiseach.

In relation to IVF, Harris said he welcomed the progress made in terms of rolling out a free scheme for those eligible under certain criteria.

However, he added: 

“I am very well aware of the extraordinarily prohibitive nature of the cost of IVF still today for people and for couples in Ireland. And I would like to do more on that. I would share the ministers ambition.”

He said any change in the criteria would be guided by clinical advice from experts.  

Separately, the Tánaiste said he will update Cabinet today on a new bilateral political agreement that Ireland will sign with Ukraine.

The agreement will express Ireland’s strong solidarity with Ukraine and its people, and support its right to defend itself against Russia’s illegal full-scale invasion, under Article 51 of the UN Charter.

Martin will tell ministers that the agreement will be fully aligned with Ireland’s policy of military neutrality, and the government’s commitment that any assistance is non-lethal.

Work on a draft agreement has been led by the Department of Foreign Affairs, in close consultation with the Departments of the Taoiseach, Defence and Justice. The text is grounded in existing agreements which align with Ireland’s priorities and focuses on: political, humanitarian and reconstruction support; Ukrainian reforms; Russian sanctions, and support for accountability.

The agreement will last for 10 years, in line with all of the other agreements signed to date.

Bilaterally, Ireland has provided approximately €90 million in stabilisation and humanitarian support to Ukraine, as well as approximately €250 million in non-lethal military assistance under the European Peace Facility.

In addition, Ireland has also welcomed over 109,000 Ukrainians to date under the Temporary Protection Directive.

The agreement comes ahead of Taoiseach Simon Harris travelling to Ukraine. 

Separately, the Taoiseach and Minister for Justice Helen McEntee will sign regulations to increase the mandatory retirement age for Garda members from 60 to 62.

The increased retirement age, for those who wish to avail of it, is one of a number of Government measures to assist with the recruitment and retention of Garda members.

Meanwhile, Housing Minister Darragh O’Brien will today tells his Cabinet colleagues that the government’s Planning Bill is expected to be completed by 10 October at the latest.

There was criticism ahead of the summer break that the government moved to guillotine the legislation.

The minister will tell Cabinet that the Bill will be commenced on a phased basis to facilitate a smooth operational transition to the new legislation right across the planning system.

Specifically, the provisions relating to An Coimisiún Pleanála will be commenced first in order to allow the body to be formally established and the new timelines for operating to be in place.