Latest news with #Newstalk
Irish Independent
21 hours ago
- Business
- Irish Independent
Rent pressure zone now covers entire country as legislation rushed through
All people with existing tenancies, so long as they stay where they are, will only be faced with a 2pc annual rent rise, or the Consumer Price Index rate of inflation, whichever is the lower. Confirmation that all renters are now covered came after the Seanad rushed all stages of the legislation today and it was sent immediately to Áras an Uachtaráin. "Having received and considered the Residential Tenancies (Amendment) Bill 2025, the President has signed the Bill and it has accordingly become law,' a statement from his spokesperson confirmed. The Government rushed through the legislation to head off an expected rush by landlords outside the existing RPZs, which covered most of the country, to increase rents ahead of new rent rules announced by Housing Minister James Browne earlier this month. The new rules are designed to stimulate investment in rental developments, but sparked warnings that they would inevitably lead to rent increases. The Government is being pressured again over the housing crisis after announcing a swathe of new rent and housing measures. New six-year minimum tenancies on offer from March next year have been criticised for allowing landlords to 'reset' rents every six years. Earlier, Housing Minister James Browne said the target to build 41,000 new homes this year is 'not realistic'. Mr Browne has admitted previously that meeting the 2025 target would be 'extremely challenging' and all predictions are trending around 34,000. Speaking on Newstalk on Thursday, he said he is committed to enacting a 'step change' in the housing department and will clear 'the dead wood out of the way so that homes can get delivered'. ADVERTISEMENT 'I think the challenge we have this year is we're coming off a much lower base from last year than was expected,' he said of the housing targets. 'We had hoped for much higher figures last year. 'I think, looking at all of the different predictions, which are fairly consistent, I think 41,000 is not realistic for this year. 'We will wait to see how the year works out. I don't particularly like getting into predictions. 'My position as minister is to maximise supply, maximise the delivery of new homes and, irrespective of what the housing numbers will be this year, I'm making a step change so we can get that housing supply up, because we need to get from 30,000 onto 50,000, on to 60,000 houses. '40,000 houses is nowhere near enough.' The last Fianna Fáil-Fine Gael coalition built more than 130,000 homes between 2020 and 2024, while the current coalition has set a target of in excess of 300,000 new homes between 2025 and 2030. The target for this year is 41,000 new builds, despite the fact the Government missed its target of 33,450 last year and also missed its newbuild social housing target by 1,429 last year. The Central Bank has also projected the Government will miss its own housing targets by a wide margin for the next three years – and on Thursday revised its prediction down further, predicting 32,500 newbuilds by the end of 2025. The Fianna Fail-Fine Gael Government, supported by several independents, has insisted boosting supply is the best way to encourage affordability while opposition parties argue more state-owned homes and regulation is needed. 'We'd gotten to a point with housing where we had seen a very significant increase in supply over the last number of years, and then it's plateaued,' Tánaiste and Fine Gael leader Simon Harris said. 'The job of this government, and the job we're working on day in day out, is to get that momentum back.'
The Irish Sun
21 hours ago
- Business
- The Irish Sun
‘Not realistic for this year', Housing Minister says as Government unlikely to meet target of 41,000 new homes
THE target of building 41,000 new homes this year is 'not realistic', Housing Minister James Browne has admitted. He conceded meeting the aim would be 'extremely challenging' — with around 2 James Browne stated it is unlikely'the target for new builds this year will be met But Minister Browne insisted he was committed to enacting a 'step change' in the Housing Department and will clear 'the dead wood out of the way so that homes can get delivered'. Quizzed on this year's target, he told Newstalk: 'I think the challenge we have this year is we're coming off a much lower base from last year than was expected. 'We had hoped for much higher figures last year. I think, looking at all of the different predictions, which are fairly consistent, I think 41,000 is not realistic for this year.' He added: 'My position as Minister is to maximise supply, maximise the delivery of new READ MORE ON HOUSING CRISIS 'Because we need to get from 30,000 onto 50,000, onto 60,000 houses — 40,000 houses is nowhere near enough.' The Meanwhile, total investment of €122billion is needed by 2030 if This includes €16.4billion this year, rising to €24.1billion by 2030 to hit 60,000 gaffs a year. Most read in Money Earlier this week, it emerged that the Minister Martin Heydon brought forward the first report from the Government's Timber in Construction Steering Group which calls on the State to use wood more when Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald slams Government over housing crisis Forestry Minister Micheal Healy-Rae has worked with the steering group on the report which notes that Ireland has excellent forest resources that are being underused in our construction sector. The steering group believes that our forests have the capacity to supply the timber needed to build 'INDIGENOUS RESOURCE' A new 'Wood first' procurement policy will be launched on the back of the report which will see State bodies ensure that timber is the "material of choice" in the construction of public buildings including schools, libraries and housing. Forestry Minister Micheal Healy-Rae told the Irish Sun: 'If we are trying to build twenty or thirty or sixty thousand houses – every one of those will need a roof and the most environmentally friendly way you can build a roof is not with steel or anything else – it is wood. 'Again with all the partitions in houses you have people who will want to use steel fixing or concrete but at the end of the day I am encouraging people to use wood instead. 'Timber framed houses made in a factory were very big during the Boomy Boom and people will tell you to use others instead like concrete but I think we should be promoting timber. 'We can grow it ourselves. It's our own indigenous resource. It is renewable. 'You plant it and it grows here, you cut it down and use it and you plant it again and it creates work locally.' 2 The new prediction estimates that 32,500 houses will be built by the end of 2025 Credit: � 2025 PA Media, All Rights Reserved
Extra.ie
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Extra.ie
Ciara Doherty announces new role after shock exit from Virgin Media
Ciara Doherty has announced her next career move after her surprising exit from Virgin Media. The former Tonight Show and Ireland AM host announced her departure from the station back in 2024 after 14 years. While there were no word on what she'd be doing following her suddent departure, Ciara announced that she'll be trading the television studio for the podcast studio; as she was announced as the new host of Newstalk's upcoming Newstalk Daily podcast. Ciara Doherty has announced her next career move after her surprising exit from Virgin Media. Pic: Virgin Media Television 'Are you on the hunt for a podcast that takes a deeper dive into the stories you care about?' Ciara said in a video announcing the new podcast. 'I'm delighted to join Newstalk, and announce the launch of our new podcast, Newstalk Daily. 'Each weekday, we'll feature one story that has the country talking. Bringing you richer insights, wider analysis, and compelling voices, both here and abroad. We launch on Monday, the 23rd of June, and we cannot wait to bring you our unique insight into the big stories of the day. 'It's conversation that counts on Newstalk Daily, so join us from Monday the 23rd of June.' View this post on Instagram A post shared by Newstalk (@newstalkfm) 'Hosted by Ciara Doherty and launching on Monday 23rd June, Newstalk Daily will focus on a story that has captured the public's imagination and has everyone talking,' the station wrote on Instagram. 'Get your 20-minute expert guide to the big stories of the moment whether you are at work, travelling or whenever and wherever you want to be in the know.' Ciara surprised viewers of The Tonight Show last year after announcing her departure, saying in a statement following her exit 'After 14 brilliant years at Virgin Media Television, I've decided to move on from late nights and early mornings to begin a new adventure. 'Thank you to my incredible colleagues and friends, to all of our guests, especially to the viewers who joined me along the way.' Pic: Colin Keegan/Collins 'Now is the time for fresh opportunities, fewer late nights… and I'm genuinely looking forward to what's ahead.'
Irish Independent
a day ago
- Business
- Irish Independent
Micheál Martin says Government's housing target remains at 300,000 despite Central Bank downgrading forecast
It comes as Housing Minister James Brown said the target to build 41,000 homes this year is "not realistic". Mr Browne has admitted previously that meeting the 2025 target would be "extremely challenging" and all predictions are trending around 34,000. Speaking on Newstalk on Thursday, he said he is committed to enacting a "step change" in the housing department and will clear "the dead wood out of the way so that homes can get delivered". "I think the challenge we have this year is we're coming off a much lower base from last year than was expected," he said of the housing targets. "We had hoped for much higher figures last year. "I think, looking at all of the different predictions, which are fairly consistent, I think 41,000 is not realistic for this year. "We will wait to see how the year works out. I don't particularly like getting into predictions. "My position as minister is to maximise supply, maximise the delivery of new homes and, irrespective of what the housing numbers will be this year, I'm making a step change so we can get that housing supply up, because we need to get from 30,000 onto 50,000, on to 60,000 houses. "40,000 houses is nowhere near enough." The Central Bank has also projected the Government will miss its own housing targets by a wide margin for the next three years – and on Thursday revised its prediction down further, predicting 32,500 newbuilds by the end of 2025. Speaking to RTÉ's News at One, Mr Martin said the Government has taken measures including the allocation of "an extra €700 million to housing" and the proposed changes to Rent Pressure Zones. ADVERTISEMENT "These decisions are difficult. We could have left it alone, but we would have affected future supply. We need more supply," he said. Mr Martin added that there is "no silver bullet" and the RPZs, short-term lets legislation, the Housing Activation Office and the extension of Land Development Agency powers are among measures being taken. "All these are vital in terms of the medium-term situation. If we don't do what we're doing now, then we'll have real problems in three or four years." On whether the Government would consider bringing in tax incentives for apartment building such as Section 23, he said he is "not going to pre-empt in any way discussions on the budget". "Part of what we were doing last week is to create a settled environment, a stable environment, for private sector investment to come in. We do need private sector investment in housing and in apartment building. That is what has declined," he said. He said the increase in resources to authorities like the Residential Tenancies Board, An Bord Pleanála and the Planning Commission will continue as it is "penny wise, pound foolish to starve these vital bodies of resources, because the costs otherwise are in the millions". The last Fianna Fáil-Fine Gael coalition built more than 130,000 homes between 2020 and 2024, while the current coalition has set a target of in excess of 300,000 new homes between 2025 and 2030. The target for this year is 41,000 new builds, despite the fact the Government missed its target of 33,450 last year and also missed its newbuild social housing target by 1,429 last year. The Government is being pressured again over the housing crisis after announcing a swathe of new rent and housing measures. This includes the introduction of rent caps nationwide of 2pc or to inflation, whichever is lower. This will apply to around a fifth of tenancies not already covered, but has been criticised for allowing rents to "reset" to the market rate when renters voluntarily leave a tenancy. New six-year minimum tenancies on offer from March next year have been criticised for allowing landlords to "reset" rents every six years. The Fianna Fáil-Fine Gael Government, supported by several independents, has insisted boosting supply is the best way to encourage affordability while opposition parties argue more state-owned homes and regulation is needed. Meanwhile, speaking on RTÉ's Morning Ireland this morning as well, the minister said he expects that rent pressure zones could be extended to the entirety of the country by tomorrow night. He said: 'I have had to make choices, I have brought in a permanent rent control for the country. "It will begin on 1 March 2026 but we are taking emergency measures in the meantime. It will bring in important protections for rents. The important thing is for existing tenancies, about 200,000 people, nothing will change if you stay in your current tenancy. The current rule - that rent can only go up by inflation or only 2pc, whichever the lower - will remain. His comments come as he announced earlier in the week that it would be 'unworkable and unenforceable' to ask landlords to reduce rents for students. 'The second thing is what we expect from tomorrow night or certainly by the end of the week that we will have rent pressure zones extended to the entirety of the country. 'A further protection measure we are bringing in for renters is what's known as security of tenure. That will mean people will have certainty as to their rental position. However, to be able to bring that in under the advice of the constitution, because landlords have strong property rights, they need to be able to have some measure where they can reset their rent. The minister has previously discussed six-year minimum tenancies from March next year, which has been criticised by the opposition for allowing landlords to reset rents every six years or when tenants leave of their own volition. Minister Browne added: 'So the only way they would be able to reset their rent is if a tenant voluntarily leaves the property and a new tenant comes in. For example, if the landlord serves notice to quit, to sell a property, they won't be able to reset the rent, so there is no economic incentive to move them out. But if a tenant voluntarily moves out that landlord will be able to reset the rent.' Meanwhile, Mr Martin said that while housing will remain among the priorities, the next budget will "have to be shaped in the context of the tariff issue" as well as the current situation in the Middle East, which can affect trade and shipping costs. "We've witnessed that. We saw the impact of the Ukraine war both, but the combination of post-COVID and the Ukraine war led to an inflationary spiral for two to three years, which was very high and impacted hugely on people," he said. "And so now we're looking at both a trade tariff issue, we're looking at the war in the Middle East, which could get worse and could lead to more instability, we will be mindful of all of that in terms of shaping this budget. "But the priorities will be first of all, housing, the priority will be disability, and we want to tackle child poverty."
Irish Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Daily Mirror
Ciara Doherty makes major career announcement, months after leaving Virgin Media
Former Virgin Media host Ciara Doherty has landed her own podcast, seven months after leaving the station. The TV presenter and her co-host Claire Brock announced their departure from The Tonight Show after station bosses cut down the weekly output from four episodes to two. Ciara has been named host of Newstalk's brand new podcast Newstalk Daily. The show will focus on the biggest news stories of the day in bite-size 20-minute episodes. Ciara said in a video: "I am delighted to be joining Newstalk and am relishing the opportunity to launch a brand new offering, Newstalk Daily. "From Monday to Friday we'll be bringing listeners the stories, from home and abroad, that shape our lives and our futures, the stories that intrigue and entertain us and those you don't get to hear. "Informal but no less informed, podcasts have forever changed the media landscape and I'm looking forward, with the team, to creating something that engages and illuminates." Eric Moylan, Managing Editor of Newstalk said: "Newstalk Daily is an exciting addition to our podcast portfolio. The show will bring the elements of our daily output that make us a hit with listeners – a focus on topics that they really care about, presented in a manner that really connects. "We've got a talented presenter in Ciara Doherty who will deliver the compelling and thought-provoking content listeners expect from the station. This launch marks the first in a series of appealing new projects to come from Newstalk and we're really looking forward to its release." Last month, Ciara said she was enjoying her break from work and being a full-time mum. The former Ireland AM host shares daughters Renee and Edie with husband Richard Stern. "At the moment, I am being a mum and a full-time mum and I'm absolutely loving it. The girls are six and four on Tuesday so they've really entered a whole new phase," she said. "They're growing up really quickly and I've just loved being able to be there for them so that's what I'm doing." She continued to VIP Magazine: "[Time] goes so quickly and as much as try it can be difficult when you're working sometimes to find the balance. "I think everybody feels the struggle of the juggle at times and I've always been working either early mornings or late nights. "I was always missing for some part of the day since the day they were born. It's been really joyful and a little indulgent I suppose because I will return to work. "But for the girls to know I'm there all the time, and I've loved that. You know, it's really special. And the one thing grandparents perhaps or older people will say to you is, this goes really quickly. "This will go in the blink of an eye, and you'll miss it and I don't want it to disappear and feel like I wasn't there enough. I'm loving it."
