Wayne O'Connor
Independent.ie
Ireland
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Past articles by Wayne:
Developer urges council to act as 173 new homes are being ‘delayed’ in row over a road extension
One of the country’s largest developers warned the Housing Minister and planning officials about the market being “acutely undersupplied” as it lobbied them to accelerate work on a scheme. → Read More
Revealed: The three options for replacing the eviction ban, from landlord exemptions to an annual ‘winter truce’
The Government is considering replacing the current eviction ban with a new two-year moratorium that would exempt landlords who want to live in their own property or move their children in. → Read More
No loo, no loan – buyers are denied mortgages for vacant houses that need fixing up
Buyers struggle to access government schemes incentivising the overhaul of empty homes because it is difficult to draw down mortgages for them, according to a new report. → Read More
Lawyers call for reform to help speed up house sales procedure
Solicitors have called for new measures to speed up house sales, proposing a “planning amnesty” to reduce delays in determining a property’s history. → Read More
New €60m unit in Limerick Prison lies unused due to sewerage problem
A new €60m development at Limerick Prison has been left largely unused despite overcrowding because of issues with the sewerage system and complaints about odours. → Read More
New cost-of-living aid package will be limited to ‘save money for further interventions’
Households will continue to benefit from the reduced rate of Vat on gas and electricity bills when the Government announces its new cost-of-living package this week. → Read More
Boom in cash buyers ensures property prices ‘will keep rising’
An influx of cash buyers and consistent housing demand are expected to fuel further property price increases, despite uncertainty over rising mortgage interest rates. While price growth slowed significantly to 2.4pc in recent months, the Institute of Professional Auctioneers and Valuers (IPAV) said it expected similar increases in the first half of 2023. → Read More
Irish aviation chiefs to crack down on danger and disruption caused by drones at airports
The Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) is working with airports, gardaí and air traffic control on plans to tackle the dangerous use of drones around airports. → Read More
Cost of basket of shopping up almost 17pc – as more families are forced to use food banks and charities
Rampant food-price inflation is putting struggling households at risk of long-term poverty , a leading think tank has warned. → Read More
Ryanair calls on Transport Minister Eamon Ryan to take action to prevent further drone disruptions at Dublin Airport
Ryanair has called on Transport Minister Eamon Ryan to take action to prevent further drone disruptions at Dublin Airport after it said hundreds of passengers saw flights diverted again for a second day. → Read More
Drug firm warns about delays in screening babies for a debilitating disease
One of the world’s biggest pharmaceutical companies has told a committee responsible for advising Health Minister Stephen Donnelly it has concerns that lengthy decision-making processes are delaying screening for a debilitating disease. → Read More
State agrees deals to lease 150 Kildare homes worth €50m from investment fund — despite pledge to phase out practice
Almost 150 new homes in Co Kildare, worth €50m, are to be leased by the State from an investment fund — despite a Government commitment to end the practice. → Read More
Fertility after cancer: ‘I would have regretted not freezing our embryos’
Children were not on Nadia Nulty-Devin’s radar when she received a cancer diagnosis a week before her 30th birthday and was told to consider her fertility. → Read More
Owners of empty homes ‘need help and more finance’ to bring the properties back into use
Owners of vacant properties say they are not getting enough guidance on how to bring them back into use. They also say they have serious questions about funding the redevelopment of such buildings. → Read More
Firefighters vote to strike over pay and holidays
Firefighters across the country have voted in favour of industrial and strike action over concerns about pay and annual leave. → Read More
Office of Public Works planning education space at the site of former Magdalene laundry in the capital
The Office of Public Works (OPW) is to seek expressions of interest for an education facility to be run on the site of a former Magdalene laundry on Seán McDermott Street in Dublin. → Read More
Property experts from across the country on what the housing market will do in 2023
Property prices are expected to see modest growth in 2023, with lending rule changes off-setting interest rate hikes, according to agents working in the sector. → Read More
Behind the scenes with the people who ring the bells for Christmas and New Year
In the week leading up to Christmas there is a stillness at Christ Church Taney in south Dublin that is out of kilter with the neighbourhood around it. → Read More
New planning bill won’t help solve housing crisis say experts — but self-builds just might
Many experts are not convinced Housing Minister Darragh O’Brien’s plans to overhaul planning laws will help deliver new homes — because we already have thousands of inactive planning permissions across the country. → Read More
Flu and lack of GPs making Christmas hectic for doctors
Doctors fear a shortage of GPs, especially in rural areas, will lead to heightened pressure on services over the festive period — especially with increased demand for healthcare due to RSV infections, Strep A, Covid-19, and seasonal flu. → Read More