Sam Boal / Photocall Ireland Sam Boal / Photocall Ireland / Photocall Ireland

The Big Movers

Housing starts are on the rise again

In one of our Fact Checks this week, we investigated Minister Richard Bruton’s claims that the number of new private houses being started is increasing.

We found that when compared to 2015, the number of commencement notices in 2016 had risen by 46.5%, meaning that there has been significant growth in the number of new private houses being built.

Nama made an offer that could have helped the housing crisis – why was it rejected?

Although Nama reportedly offered 507 social housing units to a Dublin council, it only took 65. One councillor said: “The government policy doesn’t allow for an overconcentration of social housing; and then the council had to get the money to buy the housing. When they went to get the money, they could only get enough for 65 units.”

John Gilligan’s multiple properties will be sold by the Criminal Assets Bureau

A Supreme Court ruling this week paved the way for additional selling of convicted criminal John Gilligan’s properties. These include three more of his former houses: a house in Lucan, a house in Corduff and a house in Jessbrook.

infomatique infomatique

Under Construction

• Residents of the Beacon South Quarter in Sandyford, Co Dublin have been asked to foot a potential bill of €10,000 for additional construction to fix structural issues in the development – an issue they will have to vote on.
• Architects and planners in Cork city are concerned that a flood defence system planned by The Office of Public Works may not prevent the River Lee from flooding the city.
• Guinness-maker Diageo is set to build a new distillery as it attempts to capitalise on the success of the fast-growing whiskey category.

Des Res

She may not be the much-loved public figure she once was these days, but Taylor Swift’s stylish home in Beverly Hills is still one we would love to own. Have a wander through it with Vogue in the video below.