Minister hails new housing plan as big for Waterford while TD calls it a 'blueprint for failure'

Minister for Local Government and Planning John Cummins has said the new housing plan for government will mean more homes and less vacancy in Waterford.

Minister Cummins hailed the Delivering Homes, Building Communities plan launched last week as "a major step forward in accelerating housing delivery and tackling vacancy in Waterford”.

The Waterford TD said local priorities include “unlocking” land for housing, supporting over-shop living, simplifying the planning system and supporting families in or facing homelessness.

He also said the introduction of the Derelict Property Tax was an important part of increasing housing stock.

“In Waterford alone, hundreds of properties have already benefitted from the hugely successful Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant, and this new plan expands that scheme further. 

"We are also introducing a new Derelict Property Tax, collected by revenue to ensure properties don’t lie idle at a time of such need,” said Minister Cummins.

However, Waterford Sinn Féin TD Conor McGuinness called the plan a “blueprint for failure”.

Deputy McGuinness said the plan offers nothing to families, workers, rural communities or the Gaeltacht in Waterford.

He criticised the plan’s no annual targets meant it lacked a way to measure progress.

“This plan lacks ambition, lacks vision and lacks any credible route to delivery. 

"After almost a year under a new Minister, we are left with a reheating of schemes that have already failed or have moved far too slowly. 

"For people in Waterford — in the city, in our towns and villages, in our rural areas and in the Gaeltacht — this is another blow.” 

“A plan with no annual targets is not a plan. It is a political press release dressed up as strategy. 

"Without targets, there is no accountability, no way to measure progress and no guarantee that homes will be delivered. Government has thrown in the towel — and they know it.” 

“There is nothing here for Waterford's towns, villages, rural communities or Gaeltacht. From Ardmore to Dunmore East, families still cannot access secure, affordable homes. 

"There is no plan for rural housing, no serviced sites strategy, and no measures to sustain Gaeltacht communities. They are simply not considered,” said Deputy McGuinness.