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THE GOVERNMENT’S AFFORDABLE housing scheme has been scrapped under new measures which encourage people to rent their homes.
The new initiative, announced today by Housing Minister Willie Penrose, is a reversal of previous policies which aimed to boost home ownership. Minister Penrose said this had contributed to the housing bubble and subsequent economic crash. “As a society we allowed an obsession with property to run away on us, losing sight of the important things,” he said.
He said some households “do not want or may not ever be in a position to own their home… The development of a vibrant, viable private rented sector is essential.”
The affordable housing scheme aimed to give first-time buyers a foot on the ‘property ladder’ with discounts of up to 40 per cent. However, as property prices have nosedived, the discounts offered have become insignificant in many areas. Last year RTE reported that councils were selling homes marked for affordable housing on the open market, because the potential buyers on the waiting list were not interested.
Another measure will see housing support in the form of the rent supplement scheme transferred to local authorities from the social welfare service. Minister Penrose said this was aimed at reducing the number of households depending on long-term rent supplements. “Rent supplement was designed as a short term income support; it was not intended to meet long term housing needs,” he said.
The Housing Policy Statement, launched by Minister Penrose today at the Housing Practitioners’ conference in Mullingar, also confirms that the Government is preparing to introduce a property tax as a condition of the IMF/EU bailout.
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They’re not funny! Sponsored Article Journal? For Shame! Whats the cost these days to manipulate the news?
Hi John F – I think you’ve probably answered for me – as you note, this is clearly marked out as a sponsored post, both outlined in yellow in the stream of posts so that you can tell that it is apart from the general news list and also clealry marked as “sponsored”.
If we didn’t mark this so clearly as a sponsored post, then *that* would be manipulation but as you have noted yourself, TheJournal.ie goes to great pains to point out when something is an ad or sponsored. That way you can then choose to either click in and read, if it is of interest to you, or not do so, if it doesn’t.
Thanks, Susan, Editor.
I can’t stand either of them. They’re the same in ever bloody film they’re in
Likewise, hate British humour.
Ya and killinaskully is perfection.
Father Ted was quality
British humour is similar to Irish humour, no? That’s why Irish comedians do so well in the UK.
Ffs lads lighten up its Friday! Funny is funny, no matter where its from and these two are funny. Where they’re from doesn’t come into. Jeez.
Love these two. Shaun of the dead is a classic. Hilarious. Hot Fuzz was almost as good.
I thought the opposite. I loved Shaun but felt Hot Fuzz was just that bit better. Probably cos of the two Andys
Either way I’m very excited about The World’s End
they are fantastic. i have loved them for years and will for many more.
Give the guy credit he was great as Scotty in Star Trek!
Sorry, but I thought he was absolutely poxy. He has that same stupid, continuously surprised and dumbfounded look on his face in every film he’s in; even on the cinema posters advertising his films.
Spaced is up there with father Ted. A brilliant sitcom.
The fence-jumping scene has already appeared in the trailer.
*pppppppppt* Jog on.
The greatest comedy act of all-time is Dermot Morgan and ardal o’hanlon
The greatest comedy duo is Eamo and Johnny. The straight man n the joker, with some footy in between.
Simon Pegg is humour for bedwetters
have your say