Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for raising this important question. Housing policy is written for the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage and his Department. IGEES staff in the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform carry out research in a broad range of areas affecting expenditure. While this informs the evidence base provided by officials in ministerial briefings, housing policy is developed and implemented by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.

The IGEES is an integrated, cross-Government service that seeks to enhance the role of analysis and evidence in public policymaking. The two housing analytical notes published last December are independent pieces of research conducted by IGEES staff in the Department. IGEES staff in the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform regularly undertake research and produce papers and analytical notes to contribute to the evidence base. These are used in policy discussions, dialogue with other Departments and to support informed policymaking.

The Planning Permissions and Housing Supply analytical note seeks to broaden the evidence base underpinning the planning process by examining refusal rates, decision timing and planning appeals using available data. It also discusses the relationship between planning permissions and recent trends in housing supply more broadly by drawing on the available data, as well as the existing research and literature on this topic. A key finding from this research highlights the need for improved quality of planning data and for further research to be conducted to provide clear insights on the planning process and impacts on commencements and delivery.

The second housing analytical note, Review of the Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan, 2018-2021, examines the activity and take-up of the Rebuilding Ireland home loan, which has now been replaced by the local authority home loan. The findings highlighted the strong demand for the scheme and also demonstrated the important role it has played in supporting 2,629 home purchases for lower-income earners between February 2018 and December 2021. A further 5,442 received approval in principle.

All the work carried out by IGEES within the Department forms the evidence base officials use to inform the Minister prior to any meetings he attends, such as Cabinet committee meetings, and policy discussions he engages in. Research and findings such as those seen in the two housing analytical notes form part of the briefings he has received to date on housing-related matters.

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