Where The Housing Funds Go

The fruits of a RTÉ Investigation Unit probe of the allocation of housing funds.

It’s based on a scientific method.

Or something.

Ken Foxe, Of the RTÉ Investigative Unit, writes:

In 2010 under Fianna Fail, Mayo and Limerick City managed to get €4.2 million of the €79 million funding available, around 5.3% of the total.

However since the change of government Mayo and Limerick’s share of the pot has grown by 57%. Last year the two constituencies – home to Taoiseach Enda Kenny, Finance Minister Michael Noonan and the then Housing Minister Jan O’Sullivan – together received 8.3% of the total fund….

…If the money had been allocated strictly on the basis of population, the allocation should have been the equivalent of around €8.37 per head.

That is not what occurred last year however. Instead, Minister Jan O’Sullivan’s own constituency of Limerick City – also home to Finance Minister Michael Noonan – got €16.79 per person, the second highest rate in the country. Only one local authority area was higher, and that was Mayo, Taoiseach Enda Kenny’s home county, where funding per person was €17.05.….

Good times.

Housing funds favour counties of some senior politicians (RTÉ)

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19 thoughts on “Where The Housing Funds Go”

Talismania! February 9, 2015 at 4:56 pm

I smell bacon! Delicious barrels full of it. That’s what they’re elected for, right?

Just sayin' February 9, 2015 at 5:07 pm

There’s a massive regeneration project underway in Limerick, planned for over a decade, which requires serious funding. But why let a detail like the truth get in the way of a good story?

ahjayzis February 9, 2015 at 5:52 pm

And Mayo’s population is booming?
SwayingRight February 9, 2015 at 10:46 pm

Limerick has one of the highest unemployment rates in the state and the highest youth unemployment. I don’t think the city is getting any special favours.
steve white February 10, 2015 at 9:23 am

is that regeneration project being funded with this money, these grants are for individual houses.

Rep February 9, 2015 at 5:08 pm

Well I, for one, am shocked by this parish pump politics.

Paolo February 9, 2015 at 5:20 pm

Dublin taxpayers funding everyone else as usual.

Alan February 9, 2015 at 6:12 pm

specifically north-side Dubs, or maybe there is no north-side?
1. Parp February 10, 2015 at 6:03 pm
  
  It’s called Fingal.

Odis February 9, 2015 at 5:25 pm

Mayo – it’s a great place for job hunters, as well.

Michael February 9, 2015 at 5:36 pm

Not sure why housing allocations should be judged on head of population basis. In fact if you read to the end of the article you will get reasons why this is not so.

steve white February 10, 2015 at 9:24 am

so what are they judge on, what is the clear criteria department uses?

smoothlikemurphys February 9, 2015 at 5:45 pm

Is there some sort of prize for picking out individual minister’s constituencies figures? Or does that only work as a lazy attempt as insinuating stroke politics?

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Brendan Howlin’s constituency of Wexford received €7.84 per person, less than the national average.

What do I win?

realPolithicks February 9, 2015 at 6:01 pm

Whats your point?
gg February 9, 2015 at 11:47 pm

Also Paudie Coffey, junior housing minister, is from Waterford, both parts get below the average. Maybe, just maybe it isn’t a vast conspiracy.
1. gg February 9, 2015 at 11:48 pm
  
  And Alan Kelly, who as local govy minister would hold the purse strings, is from N Tipp – also below the average
  1. steve white February 10, 2015 at 9:29 am
    
    these grants occured before he was minister, did they not