Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, RISE)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

57. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his views on the Irish Government Economic and Evaluation Service publication, Housing Analytical Notes, published on 5 December 2022, particularly the Planning Permissions and Housing Supply Analytical Note therein; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25164/23]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The primary responsibility for Housing Policy rests with the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage. IGEES staff in DPENDR carry out research in a broad range of areas affecting expenditure, and while this informs the evidence base that is provided by officials in Ministerial briefings, Housing policy is developed and implemented within DHLGH.

The Irish Government Economic and Evaluation Service (IGEES) is an integrated cross-Government service which seeks to enhance the role of analysis and evidence in public policy making. The two Housing Analytical Notes published last December are independent pieces of research conducted by IGEES staff in the Department. IGEES staff in DPENDR regularly undertake research, producing paper and analytical notes to contribute to the evidence base, which are used in policy discussions, dialogue with other Departments and to support evidence-informed policy-making.

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, 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 (now replaced by the Local Authority Home Loan). The findings highlighted the strong demand for the scheme and also demonstrated the important role this scheme has played in supporting 2,629 home purchases for lower income earners between February 2018 and December 2021, with a further 5,442 receiving approval in principle.

All of the work carried out by IGEES within the Department forms the evidence base which officials use to inform the Minister prior to any meetings that he/she attends (e.g. Cabinet Committee meetings) and policy discussions he engages in. Research and findings such as those seen in these two housing analytical notes form part of the briefings he/she has received to date on housing related issues.

All IGEES papers are publicly available and are published on the IGEES website. I fully support this transparency that allows members of the public, stakeholders and my Government colleagues to access these pieces of research and analysis and their findings.

All research and analysis prepared by members of IGEES, including work prepared by IGEES staff in the Department, while used to inform policy makers, are independent and do not necessarily represent the Ministerial policy view, nor the policy position of the Department or the Government. This independence is an important pillar of IGEES in its contribution to evidence informed policy making.