The Irish Farmers' Association - IFA

Lobbying Organisation The Irish Farmers' Association - IFA

Date published 20 Sep, 2023

Relevant Matter Public policy or programme

Public Policy Area Housing

Period 1 May, 2023 to 31 Aug, 2023

Specific Details Derelict & Vacant Houses on Farmland

Intended results To highlight that, during a time of such high housing needs, revitalising derelict and vacant houses on farmland is a much-needed operation. We need to ensure that the houses that we already have are being fully used, and a specific pathway is determined to tackle the blight of vacancy and dereliction which is a feature of many villages and communities in rural Ireland. To emphasise the importance of revitalising farmhouses to keep the younger generation of farmers in Ireland and to prevent immigration. There should be hope for young people to renovate these vacant farmhouses to keep them in the rural community. To highlight the advantages and disadvantages of the Vacant/Derelict Grant Advantages 1. €50,000 grant for vacant home and €70,000 for a derelict house. 2. Helps to utilise existing house stock. 3. Development of these houses will help support local communities. Disadvantages 1. There is a time limit of 13months to complete work on the house. 2. There needs to be bridging facilities put in place for people who have been approved for the grant until mortgage approval is obtained. 3. There needs to be more awareness made about the scheme to increase uptake. 4. There is still some uncertainty about the scheme, also a lack of skilled labour available. To highlight the need for a change in planning regulations as it is very difficult to get planning approval for these types of projects. People are being refused permission for unnecessary reasons in the middle of a nationwide housing crisis. - Farmhouse revitalisation provides Housing for the farming family support for the next generation of farmers Farm diversification Contributes to the local economy Promotes environmental sustainability

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity Brian Rushe IFA Deputy President, Alice Doyle IFA Farm Family and Social Affairs Committee Chair, Claire McGlynn IFA Policy Executive

Did any Designated Public Official(DPO) or former Designated Public Official(DPO) carry out lobbying activities on your behalf in relation to this return? You must include yourself, and answer Yes, if you are a current DPO or a DPO at any time in the past. (What is a Designated Public Official?) No

Did you manage or direct a grassroots campaign? No

Was this lobbying done on behalf of a client? No

Lobbying activity

The following activities occurred for this specific Subject Matter Area.

Meeting (1)

Social Media (1)

Email (1)

Submission (1)

Designated public officials lobbied

The following DPOs were lobbied during this return period on this specific Subject Matter Area. These DPOs were involved in at least one of the Lobbying Activities listed above, but not necessarily all of them. As returns are specific to a Subject Matter Area the above Lobbying Activities may be associated with multiple returns.

Brian Leddin TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Denis O'Donovan Senator (Seanad)

Jackie Cahill TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Joe Flaherty TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Lynn Boylan Senator (Seanad)

Martin Browne TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Matt Carthy TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Michael Collins TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Michael Fitzmaurice TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Michael Ring TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Paul Daly Senator (Seanad)

Paul Kehoe TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Tim Lombard Senator (Seanad)

Victor Boyhan Senator (Seanad)