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PLANNING APPLICATIONS ARE down by 17 per cent as the decline in the construction industry shows no sign of abating, according to a new index.
Figures released today show only one county – Donegal – saw an increase in housing planning applications in 2012, while Kildare saw the largest decline with a drop of 34 per cent.
The National Housing Construction Index found that overall construction industry has decreased significantly on 2011, particularly in western and border counties counties. Roscommon saw a drop in building of 30 per cent, followed by Laois and Donegal (both 27 per cent).
Westmeath topped the list of just six counties which saw an increase in the number of building projects which were started in 2012 compared to 2011.
The National Housing Construction Index is compiled by Link2Plans which counts every housing construction planning applications and planning commencement in each county.
Danny O’Shea of Link2Plans said the index showed there had been a slow down in the rate of decline in building and that there was reason for optimism for this year.
“If these trends [the increase in planning commencements in six counties] continue into 2013, we could expect to see numbers potentially rising in the first half of this year which is potentially very positive news for the sector as a whole,” he said.
Figures released earlier this month by the Construction Industry Federation found that fewer than 8,500 houses were built in Ireland last year – a drop of almost 2,000 on the previous year.
A Deutsche Bank report last year suggested there were almost 300,000 houses lying empty in Ireland as a result of the huge surplus of homes which were built during the property boom years.
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We had a few people over from America meeting a few of our work colleagues in Cork, the visitors had already arrived in Cork City the night before before the meeting. One of the visitors was black and when they met with our colleagues the group of three were not in great form. They didn’t have to be asked what was wrong as they came straight out and said they have been all over the world and have never been subjected to the racial abuse they received in Cork. Our people were a bit surprised and asked for some example of what happened them. The black person gave one example and said they were in a bar the night before and when he looked for drinks the barman said “what do you want, boy”. This little Corkism was enough to cause upset and after a bust of laughter all was explained and peace restored.
I remember I use to be an open minded non-racist…but then I moved to London, it’s funny how re-location can alter your opinions…for example I’m not fond of Nigerians and just so happens their black, does that make me racist? I think they’ve a bad and or aggressive attitude maybe due to their strict upbringing (not all)….the debates very VERY long!!!! Why should we have to like other countries when we against everything they stand for…why should we just accept? I’m not in anyway neo nazi and I’m totally against EDL!!! It’s all about the right approach.
Ben
When you generalise and attribute characteristics to a group of people who come from a particular country or region,
That, my friend, is racism
did’nt our Gov do that with the travellers??!!!
Well…guess I’m a racist then cause I don’t particularly like Australia’s either for minor reasons…(1) their loud (2) drunkards and (3) annoying accents, hope I can sleep tonight.
Well, xenophobia :p
No Dave, it is not racist to generalise, that is the most idiotic idea to ever come from as human. The fact is some cultures are not compatible, it has nothing to do with race and everything to do with culture and societal norms. What is normal behaviour for a Nigerian may not be normal for an Irish person and vice versa, recognising this difference is not racism. The fact is culture is a generalist attribute of nations, this can not be denied it is a fact. So go educate yourself before you call people racist you absolute tool.
Dave
I’m an Italian man living here few years, and a part from some smart comments like ” spaghetti, la mamma” etc.. I can say that Irish are just not racists.
In support to Ben it is strange how the vision about the black can be altered here in Ireland.
That happened to myself I must admit. And keep in mind that back home I was ready to go and volunteer for a project in Burkina Faso.
But when it comes to Nigerians we are naturally thinking at a possible scam. Also most of their approach in terms of manners it come across like rude and sometimes aggressive.
Having say that, the new generations are getting integrated into the culture and maybe in 20 years time we will drinking pints with them in the pub and the culture difference will disappear.
But at the moment there is a difference and is just not compatible. Except of course for those very few cases where they accept this culture and traditions.
If you want to call me racist you’re more than welcome but this is what it is.
Gianni
Well said Gianni, pay no attention to the idiots calling everyone ‘racist’ that is the oldest trick in the book to stifle or prevent debate on the subject. When these half wits call people racist it just demonstrates that they have no argument.
Tom this is the oxford dictionary of racism – I’d say that’s educating enough….Definition of racism in English
racism
Pronunciation: /ˈreɪsɪz(ə)m/
Translate racism | into French | into German | into Italian | into Spanish
noun
[mass noun]
the belief that all members of each race possess characteristics, abilities, or qualities specific to that race, especially so as to distinguish it as inferior or superior to another race or races:
theories of racism
prejudice, discrimination, or antagonism directed against someone of a different race based on the belief that one’s own race is superior:
a programme to combat racism
Dave, I don’t need you to Google the word racism in order define it for me, I’m well aware of its definition. Still, my point stands, it is not racist to generalise based on cultural norms, it is racist to generalise based on colour of skin or race alone. Do ya get it now?
There is nothing racist about recognising that some cultures clash with western or Irish ideals and norms. It is a fact.
But Ben, they can spell.
Forgot to mention the cultural thing in my post..but your 100% right with comparability.
Fantastic point Gianni say it how it is.
* you’re
Ben
Two small stories about Nigerians.
First: a Nigerian woman was parking on Dawson Street at 4.00pm so I explained to her about the clearway system. She looked straight through me and walked off, leaving her car on the clearway.
A taxi ride from Dublin Airport. The taxi driver (Nigerian) and I spent the journey setting Ireland’s problems to rights and roundly condemning the useless politicians in Leinster House.
Two sides of the same Nigerian coin.
Some are Ben , some are not
Know all Australians now do you
That’s petty in my opinion, I hate grammar nazi’s..I am fully aware of the their, there and there’re differences! I just wrote as I thought….! Ya clown.
Haha good man Dave biting…Jesus I was being vague with my opinions…I like nice people in all aspects of life, be it Australians, Nigerians, Dubs etc etc.
Ben all your doing is making a fool of yourself
The fourth article on The Journal about racism and immigrants rights in the space of a week, what the hell is going on? Is the Journal trying to push an agenda or is it a personal crusade by the editor of The Journal? Why did you delete this comment? Is censorship the norm for The Journal now? Losing all credibility fast.
Dave, we all know what racism means at this stage. History in different countries, tragic events and being actual the recent death of a great man and his fight against apartheid.
But believe me this just a culture difference clash, two extremes trying to find a middle way.
It all goes down to get the time to be fully integrated with the culture…but this a “new” phenomenon for Ireland and I’m sure that eventually the difference will be smoother and smoother until it disappears.
Please give us a deal of adjustments and stop using the word Racism so easily.
An Italian
But you’re judging a whole countries people on the few that you have met, or heard about.
Do you know all the people you comment on? Have you done exhaustive studies to back up your wild generalisations?
Everybody is different
The only thing you can generalise about is people who generalise are idiots
Dave,
You have to be able to look at the bigger picture. No offence but you sound to me the antiracism knight more than an open minded person that is capable to see things from above.
Culture differences are a fact! Hope you agree with me.
Of course there are cases of nice people despite of their nationalities. But we’re talking about characteristics that identify people, their customs and traditions that are linked to their country.
I’ve been in Nigeria myself and let me tell you…..you wouldn’t go around Lagos screaming I’m not racist!
As European we have an history of colonies, crusades etc. etc….
But the integration of such an extreme culture difference takes time.
Example: you can take a Nigerian in London working for a bank in canary wolf and we wouldn’t have this conversation.
Again Dave….culture differences are a fact and it takes time to adjust them specially when they are so far from each other.
On a funny side if this difference wouldn’t exist we would probably be eating spaghetti or tapas instead of drinking cold pints around “traditional” Irish pubs!
Don’t call this being racist mate!
If you use generalised prejudices to make statements about anybody based on where they are from,
You
Are
Racist
have your say