'Housing tsar' appointed nine months after initial pick for role torpedoed

"Garret Doocey was on Tuesday appointed Deputy Secretary General with responsibility for housing activation as the Coalition continues to grapple with the housing crisis following the introduction of a number of measures to cut through delays. Mr Doocey takes up the role following controversy last year over the senior position - or so-called "housing tsar" - proposed by Housing Minister James Browne."

"The Government publicly advertised the job at the end of last year - with a much reduced salary of up to €217,000. That put it at the deputy secretary -general (civil service) level. Mr Doocey previously held a number of roles in the Department of Transport in the Corporate, Maritime and Public Transport areas - including responsibility for major infrastructural programmes such as Bus Connects, Dart +, MetroLink and national roads, the Department of Housing said on Tuesday."

Garret Doocey was appointed Deputy Secretary General with responsibility for housing activation and will oversee efforts to accelerate housing delivery. His appointment follows controversy over a proposed senior "housing tsar" role after Brendan McDonagh's potential move was blocked amid concerns over his €430,000 salary. The Government readvertised the role at deputy secretary general level with a reduced salary of up to €217,000. Mr Doocey previously worked in the Department of Transport on major infrastructure programmes and in the private sector. The appointment coincides with a new €1 billion infrastructure fund overseen by the Housing Activation Office to fund public infrastructure that activates urban housing, with initial calls open to councils and the Land Development Agency.

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