Cork Business Association (CBA) has called for urgent tax reforms, incentive schemes and a long-term housing strategy, warning that Cork and Ireland’s housing shortage is stifling business growth and making it harder to attract and retain talent.
At a CBA event in the Imperial Hotel on Friday, September 5th, title ‘Removing the Barriers to Housing Supply – A Solution-Based Approach’, Government spokesperson on Housing Seamus McGrath TD joined business and planning experts to discuss practical measures to boost supply.
He was joined by Dave O’Brien, President of the CBA and Head of Tax at Xeinadin, Clara O’Neill, CBA and Total Planning Solutions, Dr. Seán O’Leary of the Irish Planning Institute, and Darragh O’Reilly of O’Reilly Precast.
The CBA unveiled a new paper, ‘Measures to Increase Housing Supply’, which sets out proposals ranging from expanded tax incentives to planning reforms.
Key recommendations include broadening the Living City Initiative, introducing an Apartment Living Initiative, broadening the qualifying criteria of the EIIS Scheme, extending Help-to-Buy to vacant and derelict homes, and reforming rental income tax. The group also called for amendments to the Croí Cónaithe Cities Scheme to make it more workable for smaller developers, and for a sustained, evidence-based national housing strategy.
SUPPORTIVE POLICY
Planning reform was highlighted as critical. Dr. Seán O’Leary of the Irish Planning Institute said the rollout of the Planning and Development Act 2024 must deliver an “evidence-led, properly resourced, and forward-looking” system to avoid delays and support sustainable, higher-density communities.
From an industry perspective, Darragh O’Reilly of O’Reilly Precast pointed to the potential of modern construction methods such as precast and offsite building, which he said can deliver “speed, cost certainty, and quality” if backed by supportive policies and planning frameworks.
The CBA has called on the government to incorporate four central measures into Budget 2026 – Expand and Reform Incentive Schemes; Tax and Financial Supports; Improve the Croí Cónaithe Cities Scheme and; Commit to a Long-Term, Evidence-Based Housing Strategy – and work in partnership with business, planning, and community stakeholders to deliver lasting solutions to Ireland’s housing shortage.
BETTER BUILDING AWARDS
Finally, CBA announced that Cork’s Better Building Awards are open for entry for 2025. These awards focus on the care and presentation of the city’s built heritage as well as the integration and enhancement of the new developments within the city. It brings together all the traders, business and building owners, developers, architects – large and small, who contribute to the vibrancy and vitality of the city centre and suburbs.
