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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."
Time of India
12-05-2025
- Time of India
Donor can't cite conditions to resume property already gifted sans any terms: Telangana HC
Hyderabad: The Telangana high court has said that a donor cannot invoke the Senior Citizens' Welfare Act to take back a property after executing a gift deed without any conditions and quashed a resumption order passed by Rajendranagar CV Bhaskar Reddy pronounced the order while allowing a petition filed by P Rohit Saurya (23) who is the son of senior IPS officer PV Sunil Kumar of Andhra Pradesh. The property dispute stemmed from an ongoing matrimonial row between Sunil and his wife. The property belongs to Sunil's father-in-law P Subba December 2019, Subba Rao, through a gift deed, had given some floors of a building in Kondapur to his two grandsons – Rohit and his brother, who both reside in the later he petitioned Rajendranagar RDO in 2023 seeking resumption of this property. Subba Rao cited section 23(1) of the Senior Citizens' Welfare Act, alleging that his two grandsons were not looking after him. The RDO passed an order in Jan 2023 in his favour, directing the sub-registrar of Kondapur to cancel the gift deed to the two grandsons. Subba Rao passed away a few months later in cancellation of the gift deed was challenged by Rohit through his GPA. His counsel P Roy Reddy contended that the RDO had no jurisdiction and the Senior Citizens' Welfare Act could not be invoked as their grandfather had never imposed any condition while gifting the property. Subsequently, Subba Rao's son PV Ramesh, a retired IAS officer from AP, also joined the legal battle. He contended that his nephew had approached court long after the death of the donor and also after cancellation of the gift deed without impleading any of the legal heirs. This was countered by Rohit, who said that no notice was served to him or his brother, both of whom reside abroad. Also, once the rights were vested in the donee they could not be revoked without due process, he Bhaskar Reddy, after examining the contents of the gift deeds, observed that the transfer of property was made purely out of love, with no condition that the donees were to maintain the donor. Citing the Supreme Court 's ruling in Sudesh Chhikara vs Ramti Devi, the HC held that absence of such a condition rendered Section 23 inapplicable and quashed the RDO's HC also ruled that the heirs have no standing to invoke the Senior Citizens' Act and that their remedy, if any, lies before the civil courts.
Yahoo
01-04-2025
- Yahoo
Family who sold cannabis baked goods to pay £50k
Twin brothers and their mother who were convicted of making cannabis baked goods have been ordered to pay more than £50,000 by a court. Bradley and Brendan Vidovic, both 25, as well as Paula Vidovic, all of Straight Road, Colchester, Essex, were sentenced in 2022 for various charges including being concerned in the supply of cannabis. Essex Police said people were sent a "menu" of products, including cannabis cookies and gummy bear sweets. At Ipswich Crown Court on Friday, the family were ordered to pay thousands within three months - or risk prison sentences. According to the court, Bradley Vidovic benefited from £48,190.99 through the drug dealing business. He was ordered to pay back £27,514.32 within three months or risk a 12-month prison sentence. Brendan Vidovic benefited from £60,563.35 through the business and was ordered to pay back £10,291.12 within three months, or risk a six-month jail sentence. Paula Vidovic benefitted from £28,149.81 and was ordered to pay £15,400.91 or risk a nine-month prison sentence. She was also ordered to pay £1,000 is prosecution costs, as first reported by Colchester Gazette. Essex Police initially began investigating the family when officers found cannabis, a small knife and £200 in cash in Bradley Vidovic's car in Nelson Road, Colchester, in July 2021. The force later seized more than £12,000 worth of cannabis and said the business turned over an estimated £400,000 in 16 months. Police said the brothers had left legitimate employment to focus on their criminal activities and had set hours five days a week, while taking Wednesdays and Sundays off. Paula Vidovic baked the cannabis products, the force said, and profits from the business passed between their three bank accounts. B radley Vidovic was convicted of being concerned in the supply of cannabis; of acquiring, using or possessing criminal property; possession with intent to supply cannabis; possession of a knife blade/sharp article in a public place; and obstructing an authorised person in the exercise of a Section 23 power to detain/search a vehicle or person/vessel regarding drugs. B rendan Vidovic was convicted of being concerned in the supply of cannabis; of acquiring, using or possessing criminal property; possession with intent to supply cannabis; and conspiring to enter into/concerned in the acquisition, retention, use or control of criminal property. They were both sentenced to two years and six months in prison. P aula Vidovic was convicted of being concerned in the supply of cannabis; of acquiring, using or possessing criminal property; and conspiring to enter into/concerned in, the acquisition, retention, use or control of criminal property. She was given a 21-month prison sentence, suspended for two years. Essex Police has been approached for comment. Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. T win brothers and mother convicted of drug dealing Essex Police HM Courts & Tribunals Service
BBC News
01-04-2025
- BBC News
Colchester family who sold cannabis baked goods to pay £50k
Twin brothers and their mother who were convicted of making cannabis baked goods have been ordered to pay more than £50,000 by a and Brendan Vidovic, both 25, as well as Paula Vidovic, all of Straight Road, Colchester, Essex, were sentenced in 2022 for various charges including being concerned in the supply of Police said people were sent a "menu" of products, including cannabis cookies and gummy bear Ipswich Crown Court on Friday, the family were ordered to pay thousands within three months - or risk prison sentences. According to the court, Bradley Vidovic benefited from £48,190.99 through the drug dealing was ordered to pay back £27,514.32 within three months or risk a 12-month prison Vidovic benefited from £60,563.35 through the business and was ordered to pay back £10,291.12 within three months, or risk a six-month jail Vidovic benefitted from £28,149.81 and was ordered to pay £15,400.91 or risk a nine-month prison was also ordered to pay £1,000 is prosecution costs, as first reported by Colchester Gazette. Essex Police initially began investigating the family when officers found cannabis, a small knife and £200 in cash in Bradley Vidovic's car in Nelson Road, Colchester, in July force later seized more than £12,000 worth of cannabis and said the business turned over an estimated £400,000 in 16 months. 'Set hours' Police said the brothers had left legitimate employment to focus on their criminal activities and had set hours five days a week, while taking Wednesdays and Sundays Vidovic baked the cannabis products, the force said, and profits from the business passed between their three bank accounts.Bradley Vidovic was convicted of being concerned in the supply of cannabis; of acquiring, using or possessing criminal property; possession with intent to supply cannabis; possession of a knife blade/sharp article in a public place; and obstructing an authorised person in the exercise of a Section 23 power to detain/search a vehicle or person/vessel regarding drugs.Brendan Vidovic was convicted of being concerned in the supply of cannabis; of acquiring, using or possessing criminal property; possession with intent to supply cannabis; and conspiring to enter into/concerned in the acquisition, retention, use or control of criminal were both sentenced to two years and six months in prison.Paula Vidovic was convicted of being concerned in the supply of cannabis; of acquiring, using or possessing criminal property; and conspiring to enter into/concerned in, the acquisition, retention, use or control of criminal was given a 21-month prison sentence, suspended for two Police has been approached for comment. Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Saba Yemen
10-03-2025
- Saba Yemen
At meeting with Palestinian lawyer, Dr. Abu Safia reveals suffering in Israeli prisons
Occupied Quds - Saba: Lawyer Ghaid Qassem from occupied Nazareth on Monday revealed the suffering experienced by the director of Kamal Adwan Hospital, the captive doctor Hussam Abu Safia, who was arrested by the Zionist enemy army during its siege of the hospital. According to the Palestinian Safa Agency, Lawyer Qassem was able, last Thursday, to visit Dr. Abu Safia, who has been detained for more than 70 days in "Ofer" prison, west of Ramallah, after spending about 14 days in the notorious "Sde Teiman" prison. The enemy authorities arrested Dr. Abu Safia on 12/27/2024, from Kamal Adwan Hospital in the North Gaza Governorate, along with many workers, doctors and citizens. Lawyer Qassem quoted Abu Safiya's statement, saying: "From the moment of his arrest, Abu Safiya was transferred to the notorious Sde Teiman prison, and was isolated for 14 days. Later, he was transferred to Ofer prison and isolated for 25 days. After the isolation, he was transferred to Section 24 with the rest of the Gazan detainees, which is one of the two sections that contain detainees from Gaza, in addition to Section 23, in an attempt to isolate them from the rest of the detainees and prisoners from the West Bank and inside Israel." Regarding the investigation with Abu Safiya, Qassem explained that "the longest period of investigation that Abu Safiya was subjected to was for 13 consecutive days, and each investigation lasted from eight to ten hours, and during all of these periods he was subjected to continuous and very ugly abuse, torture, and assaults." Regarding the first thing Abu Safiya asked about during the meeting with Qassem, she said: 'Two months before his arrest, Abu Safiya's son was martyred in Gaza, and due to the situation, he was unable to bury him properly in a cemetery, so he was temporarily buried near Kamal Adwan Hospital. When the meeting began, his main concern and first question was whether the body had been transferred and his son buried properly and honorably or not, in addition to the issue of losing his mother who died ten days after his arrest.' Regarding the extent of Abu Safiya's knowledge of the resonance caused by his story of steadfastness in the hospital and his arrest, Qassem said that 'Abu Safiya did not know that his case had received all this local, Arab and international media attention. They are almost completely isolated inside the prison, and they do not know what is happening outside or the developments taking place in Gaza.' Regarding the scenes of torture and oppression that Abu Safiya narrated to Qasim, she said: 'If we talk about the Sde Timan prison, it is a slaughterhouse in every sense of the word. The torture, violations and starvation there are unprecedented. We are talking about prisoners who have been shackled for ten months, prisoners whose limbs have been amputated without treatment, elderly prisoners who are shackled and blindfolded, prisoners who have lost 70-90 kilograms of their weight, in addition to the issue of the bitter cold, as the prisoners are in open cages, meaning that they are exposed to wind and rainwater, and they are forced to sit on the ground at all times and are prevented from talking to each other, and are prevented from praying and reading the Quran.' The lawyer continued: "In addition to the psychological torment after the intelligence services provided information to the prisoner that his entire family was martyred, regardless of whether the information is correct or not, the prisoner inside the prison is completely isolated and has no source of information or news unless he is allowed to be visited, and this information leaves a huge negative impact on the prisoner who is already suffering from the consequences of torture." Regarding the report prepared by the Zionist Channel 13 and the appearance of Abu Safia during it, Qassem said: "Abu Safia was surprised by the filming that took place, he was not informed and did not know that there was filming, nor did the parties that filmed him, and after the meeting they isolated him and he was subjected to insults, beatings, blackmail and torture." Regarding Abu Safiya's legal status, she added: "The Zionist enemy authorities tried to turn Abu Safiya's file into a regular security file with the aim of presenting an indictment. After a series of investigations and harsh torture to make him fall into any suspicion they could base the indictment on, and after more than 45 days they were unable to find any suspicion against him, they returned his file to its original definition (illegal combatant). The file of an illegal combatant has no rights, whether they are representation rights or an indictment, and every time the decision to extend the detention is renewed." Qassem concluded her speech by saying that "at the end of the visit, I left Abu Safiya in high spirits, and he stressed the message and sentence that (a person is history, and his history is a position that is established and studied)." It is noteworthy that last month, the Zionist media published a video clip of the director of Kamal Adwan Hospital, Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya, from inside the prison, for the first time since December 27, 2024. Dr. Abu Safiya appeared with his hands and feet tied and looking exhausted and tired, during an interview with the Zionist Channel 13 from inside the prison. This came a few days after the enemy authorities decided to transfer Dr. Abu Safiya to detention under the title of "illegal combatant", and revealed that he was subjected to torture, abuse and medical neglect. Whatsapp Telegram Email Print
