Ahern denies cutbacks in housing programme
Junior Minister Noel Ahern has denied claims that the Government is cutting back on its housing programme as part of spending cuts in all departments.
The Government has introduced new rules compelling local authorities to get prior approval from the Department of the Environment for all housing developments, but Mr Ahern said this will not increase waiting times for those on housing lists.
“Over the last couple of years, we have encouraged local authorities to push ahead as quick as they possibly could with house construction and they were given a certain freedom for the last few years, but with the changing times we do want greater control,” he said.
