The ongoing crisis in housing requires a departure from unrealistic optimism regarding government intentions. A league table assessing 31 councils on social housing delivery may present a solution, although some critics suggest this is merely a strategy to deflect responsibility from the government. Regular data publication on council performance may enhance transparency but accountability ultimately rests with the government. Addressing disparities in housing provision between urban and rural authorities and simplifying planning processes are essential steps needed to progress toward effective housing solutions.
The introduction of a league table on how the 31 councils are performing on social housing delivery is just one of a number of measures before the Cabinet.
Insistence on the regular publication of data on the performance of councils in providing housing can be a step towards transparency, but the buck must stop with the executive, not a quango.
Eoin Ó Broin believes the proposal is 'nothing more than a cheap gimmick to deflect from the Government's own failures on social and affordable housing delivery.'
Another critical step will be the stripping away of red tape and streamlining of planning approvals, which too often end in legal cul-de-sacs.
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