Cowen insists progress being made on housing supply in Offaly

Offaly Fianna Fail TD Barry Cowen has insisted that progress is being made on the issue of housing in Offaly.

The Laois/Offaly TD said that housing remains the dominant issue what he and his colleagues, rightly, give vast amounts of time to.

"It is right too that the Government should remain laser-focused on it."

While the narrative on housing is often negative, he argued: "There is a lot being done and lots more to do.

"The story locally has some positives too. We have seen recent and ongoing schemes in Edenderry, Daingean, Tullamore, Mucklagh, Clara, Ballycumber, Belmont, Banagher, Birr and Moneygall.

"And while there are over 500 new private units under construction across the county, much more needs to happen in public and private provision. Speeding up the planning process will come with the new planning legislation which I intend to ensure delivers what we all want - a strong supply of new homes for all."

He said housing is a complex issue and people are sometimes lost in the details of the many schemes and grants.

"While many claim housing solutions should happen over-night, it is only consistent progress in private and public supply that will solve the issue for the long-term. Delivering just one or the other is not what Ireland needs, we need balanced development as the hunger for home ownership remains. I give my commitment to you to press to have the solutions you want delivered," he concluded.