Ireland is set to advance the development of nearly 3,000 new homes over the next three years, as part of a broader housing strategy aimed at addressing the country’s affordability crisis. Public Expenditure Minister Jack Chambers has given approval for €450 million in funding, which will be allocated to the Department of Housing for the construction of social, affordable, and cost-rental homes from 2025 through 2027. This initiative is a crucial step in the government’s ongoing efforts to meet the growing demand for affordable housing.
The announcement was made through a joint memo that will be presented to the government by Chambers and Minister for Housing James Browne. This funding is part of Ireland’s larger commitment to ensuring that more citizens have access to homes that are both affordable and sustainable in the long term.
In a separate but significant move, the government is also set to re-enter negotiations with Section 39 workers, a group of employees contracted by the Health Service Executive (HSE), who have long been underpaid compared to their counterparts in direct HSE employment. Minister for Disability and Equality, Norma Foley, is expected to provide an update to the Cabinet today on the ongoing pay dispute, which has been a contentious issue for years.
Union SIPTU, representing around 5,000 Section 39 workers, has accused the government of failing to honor a 2023 pay agreement, leading to a recent vote for strike action. The government, through industrial relations mechanisms, remains committed to addressing the pay concerns in the voluntary sector, particularly in the context of disability services delivery.
Meanwhile, the Cabinet is also set to address issues related to Ireland’s water quality, with a new sub-Cabinet committee being formed to oversee this critical area. The move comes in response to growing concerns about water management and quality across the country, particularly after the recent disruptions caused by Storm Éowyn. In response to the storm’s aftermath, Uisce Éireann, Ireland’s water authority, will review and enhance its emergency backup power systems, including the purchase of 100 additional generators to prevent future service interruptions.
Further updates are expected as Enterprise Minister Peter Burke prepares to present the new five-year strategy for the Industrial Development Authority (IDA) and Enterprise Ireland. This will include legislation to bolster grants, with a focus on supporting indigenous Irish enterprises.
Finally, Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Harris will emphasize Ireland’s role at the upcoming G20 forum in South Africa. The event, scheduled for this week, offers a unique platform for Ireland to influence global economic policies amid an increasingly volatile global trading environment.
The upcoming cabinet meeting will see a comprehensive push to address critical housing, pay, infrastructure, and international policy challenges, marking significant steps forward in these key areas for the Irish government.
