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THE DEPARTMENT OF Environment has released a new document which outlines the current state of unfinished housing developments in Ireland.
Though the new numbers show that the number of unfinished housing estates has fallen from over 2,800 two years ago to 1,77o this year the number of houses that remain vacant stands at 16,881.
Furthermore, according to the National Housing Development Survey, there are 1,770 developments which are incomplete and approximately 1,100 developments are said to be in a “seriously problematic condition”.
This table shows where the problem is worst with Leitrim, Longford, Cavan, Sligo, and Roscommon – which all border each other - topping the list:
Click here to see this table more clearly if viewing on a mobile device
Then there is this map which colour-codes where the problem is worst with the reddest portions of the map highlighting the worst affected parts of the country:
Click here to see this map more clearly if viewing on a mobile device
Speaking after the release of the report yesterday, Minister of State for Housing and Planning Jan O’Sullivan said that while the study showed “quantifiable progress” she was “keenly aware” of the hundreds of families still enduring “the stress and strain of living on an unfinished development”.
She said: “Recent experience has demonstrated how a realistic approach to estate completion involving all stakeholders can deliver results. I expect that approach will go a long way to resolving difficulties on the vast majority of remaining unfinished developments.
However, it must also be recognised that some of these developments are commercially unviable due to location, demand and build quality. The most prudent course of action in relation to these developments from a public safety, planning and commercial perspective is to seek the agreement of owners/funders to clear the site and return it to some beneficial use.
“My Department will be working with stakeholders to develop a response in relation to this issue over the coming months with a view to having a plan in place by the end of Spring 2013.
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The Euro is killing us. A slow painful death.
I agree € is hurting Ireland at the moment . but exiting euro will be even worse.
Our budget deficit is killing us. With or without the euro we will pay a high on the markets. Do you honestly think that markets would see an Irish standalone currency as a safer bet. They certainly didn’t the last time we had our own currency.
Leaving the euro might allows our workers to be more competitive but it will take years to kick in and in the meantime we will be paying in high interest/Market rates.
I hate the € but Aaron is rite, a € exit plunge us into a deep depression for the next decade. You think its bad now Ha! You aint seen nothing.
The best estimates say were in for 10yrs of austerity with the Euro ,I can imagine going back to the punt would not involve a longer period of austerity ,but cant find any proper research (wonder why)
Dead right Kevin. There should never have been fiscal union. Too many countries. All different needs. Euro is on life support but dead already.
And another bailout. Cut out the middleman and give it straight to the bondholders – why doncha.
Not alone does the Emperor have no clothes. He’s buck naked fgs.
Why should we put up with any cuts when our politicians continue to claim unvouched expenses, dry cleaning bills, and subsidised Dail bar and restaurant?
It’s well beyond a joke at this stage, I’m mad as hell.
We need to tell EU that we intend to have an orderly exit from the euro starting in December 2012. If they want us to remain, they need to write off 50% of our debt and allow the rest to be repaid at 1% over 30 years.
My tip for 2012 is this, take your money out of Irish banks because the government WILL raid them before the year is out. They have already exhausted tax income,raided private pension funds and even slapped a 2% levy on insurance premiums. They are scraping the barrel for income but there is nothing left.
We sat back since 2008 and let things develop without taking any positive actions. We can’t afford to sit back any more. It’s time to do what anyone who had unmanageable debts is always advised, contact our creditors and work out an affordable plan of action.
I agree with you Ciaro,we should tell them what we wish to pay,because if we do get a second bail out,or even a third one,it will all go to the Banks anyway.They keep going on that we cant touch the bondholders.Why not?.Is it because most of the Dail,and the big shots in Rte are the main bondholders,and dont want any losses.It really has gone beyond a joke here now,and WE the ordinary people have to do something.We need a leader to help us with this,someone,who is not crooked,which might be very hard to find,in the inner circles of the Dail.All the Parties seem to be on the same side in all of this.I always thought FF,FG Labour,all had different policies,but the last few years,has shown me different.Where is the Party who will stand up to these scoundrels,and get us back on our feet again.Every day,I wake up in the hope that someone will appear today,and lead us from this mess,and also bring to account,all the people responsible for it.These people,and we all know who they are,should face lengthy jail terms,and have every penny,and assets seized from them.They should be ashamed to call themselves Irish,and those protecting them should also be brought to book.It seems to me,that no matter which Party one belongs to,once they set foot in the Dail,they are poisoned,or blackmailed,into doing what they are told.So,another night I go to bed,and live in hope that someone will come tommorow with some answers,because this lot in power,are going to destroy this counrty.If anyone knows how I can get into the Dail,and what criteria is needed,I can assure you I will not be poisoned like the rest,because,of one thing,I love my country,and the people in it.My,God,I sound like a politician now,but at least I have my Country at heart.
Dermot. We do not necessarily need a leader. What we need is a government that represents those that elected them. They should be fulfilling our remit!
We have to stop looking for leaders and lead ourselves. Community based. Government representing and backing us!
And I nominate DERMOT,CIARO and READA TO LEAD us
I agree with all you have said and you all seem so level headed so my number one goes to all three. And you all have said exactly what I would like to have said a Thousand thumbs to yea thanks
Its funny this is a bank lecturing us to make sure we borrow enough money to pay their reckless gambling debts ?
Lightbulb moment???
+1 …. many, many more to go….
Btw Paul glad the NYR is gone. Get mad and get mad often. :D
I’m restricting myself to reading the journal in the evenings and after all my college work is done.
It’s an acceptable compromise :-D
Reading all the expert comments above has made me realise nobody has a f*cking clue !
Thanks for contributing
@ chickens balls, How can it all be fixed? Sure we havin a clue what we’re on about.
My pleasure aydo
@Joe mcJuvenile, are you talking from experience when you say how bad things will get if we pull out of the €. also the children’s allowance comment belongs in 2008
Joe mcjuvenile, i like that. :) your on fire chicken. Although you havent a breeze what your on about.
I refer you to my original comment.
Its already in my 2012 prediction list.
Also emergency budget this year.
Irish economy needs to become more competitive.That includes fall in wages and fall in dole handouts.
In one sentence “Ireland is living beyond its means” . In 2013 the public debt to gdp will be 113%. politicians will never tell you what people in money markets already know.
How do u predict these falls in dole handouts? Can’t really lower much cause the cost of living here. Emigration? That’s no solution.
Means testing, i know a very wealthy family who gets a fortune in childrens allowence. All legal and wrong.
How difficult would that be?
Would we end up paying loads of people to do it?
I’m all for means testing if it would get results. But then would some not complain they are contributing to something and getting nothing back?
Seems to be a issues there no?
I don’t know that much much about how means testing would work.
I tried to get rent allowance once and it proved to be a painful process. I moved back in with the parents instead. That turned into a nightmare.
Would means testing include people who have family they could rely on?
I’d hope not.
its a simple maths. Like it or not.
Irish gov is spending more than its getting in revenues from taxes and etc. (and revenues are decreasing as the Stamp duty cashcow is not there)
the difference is called “Deficit”. the “deficit” is funded through international money markets.
you have 2 options
1> reduce the debt and live within your means
2>Borrow more every year at higher interest rates and then every year keep putting the taxes up (deficit financing)
Path 1 is painful but there is light once you bring the debt to sustainable levels.
Path 2 is saddling you future generations with debt. and more taxes to come.
I know I made it over simple but hope it makes sense
I understand the reasons but I’d like to see how it’d be done.
Considering how much of a nanny state Ireland is becoming I’d wonder if anyone with any living relative who could afford to would be told to fund any family member who couldnt pulling their weight. How far would it go?
If it was a simple “you earn AmountZ you don’t get AorB” then maybe it would work.
I’m just wondering how intrusive it would get or where people would say stop.
Means test the dole. In some cases dole handouts are way too high, its harsh I know but hsa to be done. Dole should be just enough to survive on. Cost of living has fallen in recent years allthough the dole has been reduced I think in some cases it can be droped further. I was on the part time dole this summer and while it wasnt much at all I was able to maintain my same standard of living, although I dont necessarily live to extravagantly to begin with as I am a student.
This is only one part of the problem though, government needs to make cuts at all levels and definitely take some of the hits themselves i.e dramatic pay reduction for the time being. Even if it is only as a gesture.
In some instances I believe that money must be spent in order to make governement activities more streamlined and cost effective and this may or may not include public sector redundencies.
Minimum wage also has to be reduced, there was uproar when it was lowered by a euro yet it was re-raised with no fanfare a few months later. It should have stayed at 7.65 possibly only for new employees or people under 25. Once again it is an extremely unpopular descision and will affect the least wealthy yet it must happen in order to increase our competitiveness.
Our involvement in the euro needs to be carefully and independently analysed. People (myself included) have been brainwashed into thinking that it is key to our survival by people who dont know what they are talking about, yet maybe it is not the best option? The same goes for our corporate tax rate, I have read many articles and heard people talk about how it has been the secret to our success yet maybe it is not what it is made out to be? I am sick of this country being so reliant on foreign investment to survive, a culture of entrepreneurism has to be cultivated. And this may have to come from both government initiatives and from a changing of our own opinions and the way we view entrepreneurs and Irish start ups. I think that people give Irish businesses a hard time when compared to foreign ones, often thinking that because its foreign it is better. This has to change.
Yes aron and they are also using irish taxes payers money to buy bmw’s mercs,wind turbines etc as the majority of the bond holders are french and german banks…People think that by staying with the euro that we will ride out this depression but you forget the other piigs all use the euro and they are in a worse position than us.It is just a case of when and not if the euro breaks up and what country will have its new currency ready to replace the euro yup the germans because the german people want the mark back and who will be the gobshites without a plan B the Irish and we will be the only country dealing with the euro…time kenny and gilmore went to europe and carried out the threat that iceland did when it was in the same position.yup refuse to pay anyone back…Look at iceland now the world didt cave in people still work and have money and they import and export….
Mate, this government may not be much…..but there is no smoke without fire, and I do believe a few Punt Nua have been printed up just in case. It would be absolutely stupid to have NOT done so, just in case, with the way things are going.
Extra, Extra….
Citi bank executive tries to prop up share price of own corporation (probably to earn a bonus) by reducing the perceived risk of citi’s exposure to European markets…
Will he cash out his stock options and run or is he planning to bet against it and win big?
And as for the excuse that ATMS will run out of money if we pull out..People need to remember we have gone through descimilisation,the punt,the euro all involved new currencies did the economy crash or run out of money no…we had printed it in advance
Solution: Regulate the sale of cannabis rewarding the revenue millions a year at the expense of criminals. Patients will this have a much cheaper non toxic non life threatening alternative to pharmaceutical drugs allowing them to spend more money elsewhere. Similarly users will become socially acceptable eliminating anxiety related issues and creating a boost for related industries, food, entertainment etc. And to top it all off tourism goes into hyperdrive and we create an extra few 1000 jobs through the use of industrial hemp which can create over 25000 innovative green products saving the rainforests from much destruction and loss of biodiversity and stimulating green investment in everything from agriculture to consumption.
Bond holders are now PAYING Germany to borrow money from them, why?
Because the German economy is string and their banks are well funded thanks to us.
its a bit more complicated than that . Germany manufacturers BMW ,audi ,merc ,wind turbines and other high tech precision industry . that’s what keeping their economy strong. keep drinking what you are drinking.
Take it as gospel…the euro is our fiscal life-raft.
Without the euro many EU countries will face a titanic style faith.
HOWEVER: it is up to the individual country to hammer out a reasonable,sensible and palatable deal with the EU/IMF.
A life raft is used as a last resort ,smart people try to fix the problem first and the problem is apart from Germany and France the Euro is a disaster for the rest of us.That is GOSPEL!!
Thats if we someone to hammer out a deal.These gobshites are useless.About as good as an ashtray on a Honda 50
Hallo Jeff Kennedy
It appears that any of the smart peope were not on the Irish life raft at that crucial moment.
We are the creators of our misery to a great extent.
You mention the term ‘gospel’ which in my dictionary describes the term as absolute truth.
Are you still pursuing your misleading theory?
If you are…well envisage Ireland outside of the EU/IMF.
Do you favour a lifestyle of the 70′s & 80′s ?
This is much bigger than the next 10 years, we’re in the process of giving away our freedom, America is done, the super elite have full control now after Obama signed in the NDAA, they’re pushing for the same thing in Europe. The Euro needs to go. I’d rather live in an 80′s style world for a decade than endure what’s coming down the line for the foreseeable future. As things are we’re looking at at least twenty years + to fix things, but other problems will arise then, the debt is here to stay.
Whatever happens now we’re fucked. Look to the lesser of two evils.
Once the Euro is gone, those muppets in government will have to start working or there’ll be riots. Might see some change then.
@Jeff, you hit the nail on the head there, make sure we have enough money lined up to keep the banks afloat like a dead fish, stinks to high heaven doesn’t it?
The only thing that Ireland should negotiate is getting the f*ck out of the EU
Or change it to the ECC. European Cooperative Community and kick the Economic out of it. Like the idea of cooperation with our European neighbours.
A second bailout would be an absolute disaster but at this stage we are without a paddle in a creek that will remain nameless.
If anybody is interested this is a great article, containing the list of bond holders, distilled from the original . http://truthrss.com/2010/11/24/banking-cartels/
@Aaron – A weak Euro is main factor for German economic growth the last while – this helps greatly with their exports. The interest rates we are paying back to German banks doesn’t hurt much either.
Aaron, no need for the smart arse comments. Just makes you sound stupid.
If funding of German banks was threatened………. lets say for example they had loaned billions to countries who cant repay them………. would their interest rate be less than zero?
No.
If the euro hadn’t contributed enormously to their economy would their interest rate be less than zero?
No.
The only comment on this thread that makes sense.Good one C.B.A.
Why not?
The Germans are getting their money at 0% or less.
Why shouldn’t we?
We’are all equally Europeans now.
Aren’t we?
You hit it on the nail there. It’s funny how equality goes down the drain when ship starts to sink.
Dermot Murphy, the easiest methods to get elected to the Dail are:
1. Become a sibling of an existing TD.
2. Become a solicitor
3. Become a teacher.
You’ll also need to be able to fill in an expenses claim form and never give a straight answer to anything you are asked.
I will be interesting to see what comes out of this meeting that is planned between the Cameron and Kenny this week. It is possible that we could see the EU fracture in separate groups when the shit hits the fan leaving multiple unions with a collective trade agreement.
have your say