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Christina Finn reports from New York
THE SUGGESTION OF any pre-budget tax breaks for renters and landlords has been downplayed by Tánaiste Micheál Martin today.
There had been reports in The Irish Times this morning that renewed consideration was being given by Government for some measures to be rolled out before autumn, but when questioned on the matter today, the Tánaiste poured cold water over the idea.
As reported by The Journal in January, some in Cabinet had indicated that Budget 2024 is too far away and that tax changes may have to be made to prevent a mass exodus of small landlords from the rental market.
Speaking in New York today, Martin said collective Cabinet responsibility “is an imperative in all of these things”.
“We said there would be a package in respect of the rental sector in the next budget – and that remains the position,” said the Tánaiste.
“Because there can’t be knee-jerk responses to the situation. Because any one measure could have unintended consequences, so it’s got to be fully fleshed through and the budget is the proper context for doing that,” he told reporters.
While the Finance Bill is making its way through the Houses, the Tánaiste said that specifically relates to the cost of living package Government announced.
“We have turned a corner in respect of house building and particularly in terms of the first home buyers,” he told the media.
The figures in the last quarter of 2022 and in the first month of January indicate that, he said, stating there has been “very significant numbers” around first-time buyers.
“I think up to 7,000 if not more in January alone applying for the help-to-buy scheme, 9,000 houses completed in the last quarter of 2022 and in January over 2,000 commencements, the highest since records began.
“All of that indicates that there is significant activity in the housing market and we have to build more faster. Supply is the key to resolving the range of issues in relation to housing. Because it is the number one priority, it’s the number one issue facing people in the country in Ireland and we’ve got to everything possible to increase supply,” said Martin.
He also confirmed to reporters that increasing the income threshold for the cost rental model is under consideration.
The cost-rental model means that the price of rent is equal to the cost of the build alone.
Tenants are charged an amount that covers the cost of delivering, managing, and maintaining a home only. This means prices are not driven by market movements, making it more affordable, and there is no risk of the developer making a profit.
Currently the income threshold for cost-rental scheme is below €53,000 net household income, however, in recent days there have been reports that it could rise to €100,000.
Martin would not go into specifics but said “it is under consideration, particularly in the context of utilising the cost rental model, in terms of rental properties that are being sold”.
The Help-to-Buy scheme has seen the highest number of first-time buyers applying to that scheme, added Martin, highlighting that the First Home scheme is “doing particularly well”.
“But we have to do more. I acknowledge that. We went from 20,000 to 30,000 [new homes built]. We have to go up higher, but it does take time to built up the capacity to deliver that amount of houses, but that is the agenda and we will continually look at all measures we can take to improve housing supply,” said the Tánaiste.
“I think the more immediate prospect is rapid build housing, modern methods of construction, we need to do that more rapidly in the context of social housing and affordable housing and we’re working with local authorities on publicly-owned land,” he said, adding that legislation on the planning side was passed before Christmas to facilitate rapid-build social housing which he said “might give us the opportunity to increase the supply”.
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Tough shit, Get over it. Should the cops, coffee sellers and caterers, medics, street cleaners, employees of hundreds of other companies that will be both attending and working at the event itself also be able to choose not to turn up? What drivel.
@Mr Snuffleupagus: and clickbait
All workers are entitled to withdraw their labour as they see fit.
@Benjy Dempsey: The big stars don’t want to touch Trump with a 50 foot pole. It’s telling that performers have to be forced under contract to be in The Donald’s presence.
@Benjy Dempsey: So you think you can tell your boss you’re not going to work for any reason you like then, Benjy? Right so. Saying so, doesn’t make it so. If you don’t do your job, you get sacked. At least, out there in real world.
Yes I am pretty sure you can’t refuse to provide some one service just because you have a prejudice against them.
@benjy are employers entitled to withdraw wor as they see fit?
Benji, Wally, bill… Whatever…. You now saying that ni bakery was right to refuse to bake?
@Mr Snuffleupagus: Another butt-hurt Trump FanBoy.
@Benjy Dempsey:
Of course they can, but if they breach their contract…bye bye or a fine!
Mr Snuffle, ,You might recall the Luas workers withdrew their labour a while back and not only did they not get sacked they won an 18% pay rise.
Thats showbiz baby!
perfectly fitting for a trump event to have women being forced to do things they don’t want to do.
@stopit:
It’s their job, if they don’t like it leave. Funny how “principles” seem to disappear when there is a threat of the money disappearing! Plenty more waiting to join! Imagine if employees decided whom their company could do business with! Sack em and move on!
That’s why we have unions. To keep greedy hogs in their place.
Considering they have performed at Radio City Music Hall in New York since the 1930s, they’re in pretty good shape.
@alphanautica: Great gams, them girls!
They could do a routine from Hamilton. Or dress as cats and when President Elect Tiny Hands goes for a handshake, there’s a ready made “Pussy Grabbing” headline available for publication. I’m sure the Rockettes have had to deal with many letches in their time, but being forced to do it on an official level is creepy.
Trump will be thinking quietly to himself soooo many pussies and I only have two hands
@Tweed Cap: Somehow I can see Alec Baldwin dancing with a Rockettes type lineup on SNL in the coming weeks!
@Daisy Chai NSaw: Have you never heard of what Bill Clinton or JFK got up to in The White House?
@Eamon Mac Gowan: Yes. Does whataboutery make Trump less of a pussy grabber?
@Daisy Chai NSaw:
Says the QUEEN of whataboutery!!!
@Warthog: Your mammy’s calling you for your tea. Run along.
That’s millenials for you. They think their rights are being trampled on if their employer tells them to do something.
It’s a job, get over it. I don’t like Enda much but hey, he was going to be at my child’s school for something, and on that day I still sent him to school.
@The Girl: Umm, terrible comparison that makes no sense whatsoever.
If they don’t want to do it, sack em.
There’s plenty of hot sexy dancers all over America who would love to get that gig.
@Eamon Mac Gowan: as if you’d know, LOL!
Shows the increasingly unpatriotic tendenies of the Left not just in the US but in the West generally.
Incorrect use of the patriotic, Rosa Parks (if that is your real name).
@Rosa Parks: Patriotism is a disease of the mind.
They should honour the president erect
Another pure bs lazy journalism propaganda piece. Never let the truth get in the way of a good story.
@John Fergus:
Par for the course at this stage.
Actually this has nothing to do with Donald Trump.
The dancers are in dispute with the owners of the outfit.
have your say