The new housing tsar to lead the Coalition’s Housing Activation Office (HAO) is expected to be appointed in the next eight weeks.
Minister for Housing James Browne set out the timeline for the appointment as he launched a first call for applications for infrastructure projects aimed at unlocking sites for housing development.
The €1 billion Housing Infrastructure Fund will be managed by the HAO.
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According to the advertisement for the tasr, the successful candidate will be tasked with driving “the Government’s efforts to increase housing supply”.
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The Government advertised for the HAO role last October. It was part of the Government’s plan to tackle the deepening problem when it was returned to power earlier last year.
However, there was controversy around the role.
Mr Browne had initially identified Nama chief executive Brendan McDonagh for the job, but he withdrew when questions were raised about whether he would retain his salary of more than €400,000 in the new role.
The official job title is deputy secretary general for housing activation and the position comes with a salary of more than €200,000.
On Wednesday, Mr Browne said recruitment is “ongoing” but he expects an appointment to the position “sometime over the next eight weeks”.
He said, however, the office is already “up and running.
Mr Browne said he understands there were applications for the job from the public and private sectors.
He said the office “brings together practically minded experts” from Usice Éireann, ESB networks, transport agencies, local government and his department.
He said it has been operational since last April, has met all 31 local authorities and is working with them and utility organisations to “unblock” housing sites and “accelerate delivery”.
The new infrastructure fund is open to applications from local authorities and other State agencies.
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It is designed to give direct investment to infrastructure needed for new housing developments, such as water, network connections, road access and other services.
The first call for funding for projects under the scheme is open for applications until February 27th. “I’m looking forward to short, sharp and shovel-ready projects being submitted,” said Mr Browne.
Tánaiste Simon Harris said the fund is “a direct intervention by the State to unlock the lands and to speed up the delivery of housing”.
Noting the short application period, Mr Harris said there “is an urgency to local authorities getting on with it, getting in the application, drawing down the money, and getting the homes built for our people”.
