Latest news with #MichaelHealy-Rae
The Journal
5 days ago
- Politics
- The Journal
'I like dogs': Healy-Rae says minister can't tell property owners to allow tenants have pets
IT WOULD NOT be appropriate for the housing minister to tell property owners that their tenancy agreements should include allowing renters have pets, according to Minister of State with responsibility for Forestry, Michael Healy-Rae. Fianna Fáil Senator Teresa Costello told the Seanad today that she has been contacted many times by people who are 'deeply torn' when they receive an offer of housing only to be told that it is on the condition that they do not bring their pet. 'Pets are an integral part of the family and people should not be faced with the decision to surrender them or refuse an offer,' she said. 'While there is a need for certain restrictions, it is imperative that we revise and review policies to develop guidelines that balance the needs of tenants with the welfare of the community,' said Costello, who added that there must be fair, clear, concise and consistent rules across local authorities and housing bodies. 'I like meeting dogs' Healy-Rae, who was taking questions on behalf of the housing minister today, said: 'I am a big follower of dogs, in particular, I really like dogs and I like meeting dogs, so I thank the Senator for this because it is an important issue… while the distress that pet owners find themselves in when searching for appropriate accommodation for both themselves and their pets in both private and social housing settings is understood, the needs and concerns of landlords and other tenants must also be considered'. He went on to state that it 'would not be appropriate for the Minister to direct individual property owners as to what a tenancy policy should be'. The Kerry TD's entry in the Dail Register of Members' Interests describes himself as an owner of rental properties and his entry lists 17 separate properties for letting, including 14 houses. Advertisement The minister suggested in the Seanad today that an open and productive dialogue between the property owners, the tenants and their representative associations, regardless of the tenure type, should take place on the matter of pets. 'The majority of people love animals – they love their pets. Of course, we have to weigh that up against the whole issue of when accommodation is provided, it is hard for a person to say, in the current climate, that they cannot take a house because they cannot take their pet. 'People would be thinking the person was negligent on behalf of themselves and their family that they were more worried about the pet. Only people who would not have a fondness for animals might not understand it, but other people would,' added the Kerry TD. No law preventing renters having pets He said the department is not aware of any sector-wide policy which precludes AHB tenants from keeping pets, adding that the residential tenancies Acts from 2004 to 2022 make no reference to animals. 'As such, there is nothing in legislation that prevents AHB tenants from keeping pets,' said the minister. While he said some renters might want pets, not all residents, particularly in multi-unit developments, might be comfortable with the presence of pets. 'Their needs should also be considered,' said Healy-Rae. 'It would not be appropriate for the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to set out tenancy policies of individual AHBs and their property rules,' said the minister. While the senator said she understood the minister's position, Costello said she had 'people bringing the cutest little dogs into my clinic while crying at the thoughts of having to decide whether they give up this little dog who has provided them love and kindness for seven or eight years or take a roof over their heads'. While Costello said she appreciated that there is nothing in legislation preventing tenants from keeping pets, a huge number of houses and properties available refer to a no-pet policy. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
Irish Independent
11-06-2025
- Business
- Irish Independent
Michael Healy-Rae's property firm linked to housing Ukrainian refugees records €840,000 profit in two years
Michael Healy-Rae's firm's main activity is 'property management'. Photo: Getty That is according to new accounts filed by Mr Healy-Rae's Roughty Properties Ltd, which show that the company recorded post-tax profits of €376,048 in the 12 months to the end of May last year. The filing of the accounts comes just days after the company lodged accounts at the Companies Registration Office (CRO), which showed it recorded a €465,860 post-tax profit in its first year in operation up to May 2023. Cash funds at the company last year increased from €555,933 to €718,046. The company also strengthened its balance sheet during the year with the addition of a fixed asset, which has a book value of €204,519. Mr Healy-Rae owns 100pc of the share capital of the company. The Kerry TD's entry in the Dáil Register of Members' Interests states that the main activity of Roughty Properties Ltd is 'management of rental properties'. In the register, Mr Healy-Rae describes himself as an owner of rental properties and his entry lists 17 separate properties for letting, including 14 houses. Separate figures published by the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth show that Mr Healy-Rae's Rosemont House in Tralee has received €1.22m over two years and three months to the end of last December. In 2022, Kerry County Council refused planning permission to Roughty Properties Ltd's planning application for a three-storey extension to expand guest capacity at Rosemont Guest House. The Roughty property firm is now Mr Healy-Rae's most profitable enterprise, with the accounts showing two years of strong profits. Separate accounts filed earlier this year by Mr Healy-Rae's plant hire firm, Roughty Plant Hire Ltd, show that its accumulated profits increased by €74,887 from €734,024 to €808,911 in the 12 months to the end of April 2024. Accounts for another of Mr Healy-Rae's firms, which operates a fuel station and grocery shop in Kilgarvan, show that it recorded post-tax losses of €26,986 last year. Mr Healy-Rae's entry to the Dáil Register of Members' Interests lists his other occupations as postmaster, farmer, service station owner and owner of rental properties. The Kerry TD also has shares in the New York Times . Mr Healy-Rae also has 146 acres of farmland/forestry.
Agriland
09-06-2025
- Business
- Agriland
New construction action plan to support use of timber
A new 'action plan' to modernise the construction sector in Ireland has recommended that the government support the work of Timber in Construction Steering Group. The action plan on modern methods of construction (MCC) was announced today (Monday, June 9), with the aim to modernise the construction sector, expand housing capacity, and create sustainable and skilled jobs. The plan has been developed by the Department of Further and Higher Education in partnership with industry and education providers, and sets out 58 targeted actions across eight 'themes' to scale up adoption of MCC. The plan was launched at Mount Lucas National Construction Training Campus in Co. Offaly, which also saw the breaking of ground on a new National Demonstration Park for MMC. One of the actions outlined in the plan calls for the National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI), which regulates construction products, to engage with suppliers of MCC products to encourage their engagement in certification processes so they are eligible for future public tenders. One of the organisations that the government will engage with under this recommendation is the Irish Timber Frame Manufacturers' Association (ITFMA). A further recommendation in the report said that the government will support the work of the Timber in Construction Steering Group through targeted skills provision as necessary. The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, as well as Solas and Skillnet Ireland, will be responsible for implementing this recommendation. The Timber in Construction Steering Group was established in November 2023, and focuses on five key thematic areas. These areas are: market opportunity; regulation and standards; public procurement and demonstration projects; research and development; and communication and education. The steering group recently met with Minister of State with responsibility for forestry Michael Healy-Rae, to review the progress made in scaling up the use of timber is construction. Speaking at the time, Minister Healy-Rae said: 'Ireland has a significant opportunity to expand the use of timber in construction, supporting our climate goals while delivering housing needs. Sustainable timber construction practices will require us to build smarter, higher and safer.' 'The work of this group is vital in identifying the approaches to wider adoption of timber construction, and to finding practical solutions,' he added.
Agriland
05-06-2025
- Business
- Agriland
€465k post-tax profit for Healy-Rae firm in 2023
By Gordon Deegan A property management firm owned by Minister for State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) and farmer, Michael Healy-Rae, linked to the Kerry TD's Rosemont guesthouse accommodating Ukrainians, recorded post-tax profits of €465,860 in 2023. Earlier this year, Deputy Healy Rae was appointed a Minister of State with special responsibility for forestry. Now, new accounts filed by Minister Healy-Rae's Roughty Properties Ltd., show that it recorded the €465,860 post-tax profit in its first year in operation from the date of incorporation for the 12 month 23 day period from May 9, 2022 to May 31, 2023. The abridged accounts do not disclose revenues but they do show that at the end of May 2023, the company's cash funds totalled €555,933. Healy-Rae accounts The overdue accounts were filed after a district court order dated May 13 last extended time in which the annual return could be lodged with the Companies Office. The annual return shows that Minister Healy-Rae owns 100% of the share capital of the company. The independent Kerry TD's entry in the Dáil Register of Members' Interests states that the main activity of Roughty Properties Ltd., is 'management of rental properties'. In the register, Minister Healy-Rae describes himself as an owner of rental properties and his entry lists 17 separate properties for letting including 14 houses. Separate figures published by the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth show that Minister Healy-Rae's Rosemont House in Tralee has received €1.22 million over two years and three months to the end of December last. In 2022, Kerry County Council refused planning permission to Roughty Properties Ltd's planning application for a three-storey extension to expand guest capacity at Rosemont Guest House. The new accounts confirm that the Roughty property firm is now Minister Healy-Rae's most profitable enterprise. Plant hire Separate accounts filed earlier this year by Minister Healy-Rae's plant hire firm, Roughty Plant Hire Ltd., show that its accumulated profits increased by €74,887 from €734,024 to €808,911 in the 12 months to the end of April 2024. The post-tax €74,887 profit at the plant hire services business for the 12 months was an 80% increase on the €41,415 post-tax profit for the prior 12 months. During the 12 months the company's cash funds more than doubled from €198,748 to €434,224. Numbers employed at the Kilgarvan-based business during the year declined from 12 to five. Separate accounts for another Michael Healy-Rae firm which operates a fuel station and grocery shop in Kilgarvan show that it recorded post-tax losses of €26,986 last year. Accounts for Black Cap & Company Ltd., show that the firm recorded the post-tax losses of €26,986 in the 12 months to the end of April 2024 are down sharply on the post tax losses of €67,583 in the prior year. Last year, numbers employed by the business declined by one to 15, including directors. The company operates from a building housing a shop at Kilgarvan village. Deputy Healy-Rae's entry to the Dail's Members' Register of Interests lists his other occupations as postmaster, farmer, service station owner and owner of rental properties. The Kerry deputy also has shares in the New York Times. Deputy Healy Rae also has 146ac of farmland/forestry.
Agriland
30-05-2025
- Business
- Agriland
Healy-Rae launches report on horticulture education
Minister of State with responsibility for horticulture, Michael Healy-Rae, has launched a report into the available of courses for studying horticulture. The Horticulture Education Review Report was launched at the Bord Bia Bloom Festival by the minister today (Friday, May 30). The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine said that the report delivers on a strategic action in the National Strategy for Horticulture 2023-2027, which includes a commitment to review horticulture course availability and suitability for a modern dynamic industry. The report includes a number of recommendations, including the establishment of a new committee called the Horticulture Education Leadership Group (HLEG). This committee would be tasked with assisting with reviews of horticultural educational content at all levels. That committee would also be tasked with preparing material that can be used by education providers and industry stakeholders to promote and market horticulture as an attractive and rewarding career. The HLEG committee should also work on an all-Ireland basis to share information on horticulture promotion. Commenting on the new report, Minister Healy-Rae said: 'I would like to thank the authors of the report, Dr. Owen Doyle and Brian Arnold for their work in completing this important review. 'The recommendations in the report set out clear actions for the horticulture sector to take forward to enhance its attractiveness as a future career choice. 'Launching the report at Bloom 2025 is particularly relevant as we celebrate and showcase all that is great about our horticulture sector, from gardens, plants and food produce; including its skilled professionals – landscape gardeners, florists, commercial growers, farmers, academics, advisors and scientists – the key foundation on which the horticulture industry is built,' the minister added. He thanked the horticulture industry, retailers and education providers for their engagement on the report. 'The recommendation to establish a new Higher Education Leadership Group that will input into the curriculum content and coordinate advocacy campaigns will be key to inspiring the next generation of horticulturists into this important and dynamic sector,' Minister Healy-Rae said. He added: 'I particularly welcome the focus on a 'global horizon' ensuring that our future graduates at all levels will have the required knowledge and skills to further advance sustainable practices and drive continued innovation in the sector.'
