Housing Minister Drops Unexpected Bombshell on Beauchamps Conference—Is the Housing Crisis Finally Turning?

Isn’t it wild how something as fundamental as delivering housing quickly can still feel like chasing a mythic beast? Minister for Housing James Browne is not just chasing—it’s clear he’s sprinting with purpose, aiming to cut through the red tape that bogs down homes from blueprint to front door. At the Beauchamps Housing Conference, he painted a vivid picture of progress, crediting bold schemes and policy shifts driving an unprecedented housing surge unseen since the 1970s. But here’s the kicker: no single magic bullet, yet every change counts in the grand puzzle of providing roofs for those who desperately need them. It’s more than numbers; it’s people’s lives, dreams, and the very fabric of communities hanging in the balance. With eyes on infrastructure, collaboration with Minister Chambers, and a spotlight on the updated National Development Plan, the momentum is real—and needed. The big question now: can this pace hold, and will the policy promises translate into keys in hands faster than ever before? Dive into how Ireland’s housing future is being forged, one bold move at a time. LEARN MORE

Minister for Housing James Browne has reiterated his intention to minimise unnecessary delays in housing delivery.

Opening the Beauchamps Housing Conference, the minister said he is “moving at pace” and driven by “genuine intent” to tackle the housing crisis.

“We’ve made significant progress in delivering new housing and launching schemes that have provided secure homes for thousands of individuals and families at a scale not seen since the 1970s,” said Browne.

“While no single solution changes the game, there can be no doubt when it comes to the policy changes I have made in the first half of this year that I am clear on making sure we can deliver faster for all those who need our housing market – and system – to function far better now and in the coming years.

“People are behind every statistic – from those in emergency accommodation, to those who are saving for mortgages across the country.

“We have to respond across the board, and I am working closely with Minister [for Public Expenditure Jack] Chambers to ensure the infrastructure is there to meet the capacity of build we must see in the coming years to meet growing demand.”

The conference, titled ‘Momentum Matters | Accelerate 2025’, took place at the Dublin Royal Convention Centre and was attended by 450 people, including policymakers, developers, home builders, funders and industry leaders, as well as representatives from public bodies.

There were focused discussions on converting policy changes into accelerated housing delivery, particularly in the context of the revised National Development Plan and the new National Housing Plan.

Chambers also delivered a pre-recorded address to the conference, hosted by law firm Beauchamps, underlining the ambitions of the NDP, which earmarked nearly €36bn for housing to 2030.

To frame the panel discussions, conference chair Fidelma McManus, partner and head of housing at Beauchamps, was joined by Kate English, chief economist of Deloitte Ireland, who shared exclusive research insights and analysed key economic trends shaping Ireland’s housing market.

McManus then chaired two panel discussions tackling the most urgent questions facing the sector today.

The first panel, ‘From Policy to Progress – Making Viability Central to Delivery’, featured Stephen Garvey (CEO, Glenveagh), Aoife Watters (CEO, Respond), Martin Whelan (CEO, The Housing Agency) and Pat Farrell (CEO, Irish Institutional Property), and examined recent policies and how to overcome economic and policy barriers to delivery.

A second panel titled ‘How Transformative is the National Development Plan Review 2025?’ focused on how the revised NDP can become a true delivery enabler.

The panel comprised of John Coleman (CEO, The Land Development Agency), Angela Ryan (senior manager in the asset management and sustainability directorate, Uisce Éireann), Brian Tapley (head of customer and project delivery, South, ESB Networks) and Paul Sheridan (director, main contracting, Construction Industry Federation).

Speakers emphasised the need for a clear and detailed understanding of how the revised National Development Plan (NDP) will be implemented.

Discussion focused on multi-annual funding requirements, constraints around prioritisation, emergency planning legislation and capacity challenges.

The government’s policy shift, aimed at reducing delays and controlling costs, was also acknowledged as a critical step forward.

Closing the event, McManus stated, “We’ve moved beyond simply identifying the challenges.

“This year, the focus is firmly on implementing recent policies, addressing viability, restoring certainty and stability and rebuilding momentum to accelerate current delivery and establish a robust pipeline for the next decade.”

Photo: (l-r) Conference Chair Fidelma McManus, Partner & Head of Housing, Beauchamps and Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, James Browne.