Mixed response to Government’s housing plan with criticism that it offers ‘nothing new for Sligo’

By Philip Rooney, The Sligo Champion

The government’s recently published housing plan has received a mixed welcomed from local politicans with Minister Marian Harkin describing the plan as, “Another step on the road to resolving this critical issue,” while Labour Party Councillor Ann Higgins has said the plan offers “Nothing new for Sligo.”

Minister Harkin said the housing plan ‘Delivering Homes, Building Communities: An Action Plan on Housing Supply and Targeting Homelessness, 2025–2030’ aims to “Deliver 300,000 homes including 72,000 social homes by 2030 and provide 90,000 affordable supports to help people who are struggling to have a home of their own. Supported by record investment in infrastructure and major reforms the plan represents a decisive move to unblock constraints in the system and empower local authorities, industry partners, and communities to accelerate housing delivery.”

Minister Harkin added, “Among the strengths of this plan is the focus on freeing up blockages that have slowed progress for too long. By enabling county councils to provide more zoned and serviced land for housing, we are giving them the tools and flexibility they need to respond to local demand and deliver for their communities.”

There was a contrasting response from Labour Party Councillor Ann Higgins who believes the plan offers little comfort to renters, young people or families in Sligo who are already struggling to keep a secure roof over their heads.

Speaking after the publication of the plan, Cllr Higgins said, “It is clear that the Government is fresh out of ideas, and that its approach remains unchanged despite record levels of housing stress.

“Families in Sligo are living through the consequences of years of Government failure. This new housing plan is simply more of the same. It is not ambitious enough. There is no change in the vision or the overall approach. Instead of stepping up with a bold plan to increase supply and tackle soaring costs, Government has doubled down on policies that have failed for years . The result – soaring rents and house prices, coupled with low availability. The Government has failed on the two main As of any housing policy – Affordability and Availability.

“The first thing people in Sligo will see is that this plan offers too little, too late. The publication of the plan has been delayed for over a year and instead of offering hope, it is more of the same. Instead of being brave and charting a new path for housing delivery, the government has opted to double down on a developer-led housing policy that has failed year in year out.

“Families are struggling in every part of the country because they cannot secure a home they can afford. Renters are being pushed deeper into insecurity with no sign of relief. Young people who want to own their own home are being told to wait, again, while prices continue to climb. This new plan changes none of that. It sets out broad figures but strips away annual private-sector targets. When you remove measurement, you remove accountability. Government has taken away its own tools to track delivery, until it surprisingly reintroduces them whenever it suits.

“The section on affordable ownership is particularly disappointing. It offers nothing new. Instead of a plan to bring down prices, the Government has wrapped its existing schemes into what it calls a Starter Homes Programme. That is a branding exercise, not a housing solution. Demand is not the issue. Supply is. Without a major increase in State-built affordable homes, families in Sligo will remain locked out of home ownership.

“Government is also pointing to an expanded role for the Land Development Agency. But the additional funding is modest, and there is no clarity on the new powers it will receive. The detail does not match the scale of the crisis. What we need is a major

expansion of direct State capacity to build social and affordable homes, not more reliance on developers who have already shown the limits of their model. This plan falls well short of what is required.

“The removal of clear targets is one of the most troubling aspects of this plan. Targets matter because they are the only way to measure progress and hold the Government to account. By stripping out annual delivery targets, Government has lowered the bar for itself at the very moment it should be raising its ambitions. Families in Sligo cannot afford another decade of missed targets and broken promises.

“People across Sligo need a housing plan that meets the scale of the crisis. Labour’s view is clear. We need a State-led building programme, stronger protections for renters, and a renewed commitment to affordability. The Government’s plan does none of this. It is a missed opportunity.

“It is time for a serious change of direction. Government must abandon the failed market-first approach and invest directly in the homes people need. Families, renters and young people in Sligo deserve better than this recycled plan. They deserve real solutions that deliver real homes.

“Government must go back to the drawing board and bring forward an ambitious, accountable and State-led housing plan that meets the needs of people in Sligo and beyond. Nothing less will do.”

Article Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.