'We need to seek the construction of homes not housing' - Minister Marian Harkin speaks out on funding

Leitrim needs homes not houses, stressed Minister Marian Harkin speaking about the revised €275bn National Development Plan (2026 to 2035).

The updated plan includes an additional €34 billion in capital funding compared to the original 2021–2030 framework. This brings the total investment to €102.4 billion over the next five years, with a further €100 billion earmarked through to 2035 and represents the most substantial capital allocation in the history of the State.

Speaking to the Leitrim Observer, Minister Harkin said that her priority has always been balanced regional development and she spoke about some of the biggest issues facing the county that, in her view, need to be addressed through the funding. 

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She said: "Housing is as much of an issue in Leitrim as it is in Dublin; our numbers are smaller but it's still a significant issue. 

We need to seek the construction of homes, not housing. We need investment in infrastructure; people won't live in areas where the infrastructure is not up to standard."

Minister Harkin continued that equal access to healthcare is also an important issue for those in Leitrim. "Most people from Leitrim attend Sligo University Hospital and I have pushed hard for the surgical hub in Sligo, meeting the relevant ministers; that would be for elective surgeries and would have a significant impact on the waiting list."

The revised NDP focuses on transformational infrastructure across key sectors including housing, water, energy, and transport, alongside major investments in health, disability services, and education.

Minister Harkin added that Carrick bypass is a significant development but funding is also needed for other national roads. 

After almost three years since the COVID crisis, Ireland returned its hospitality, hotels and tourism VAT rate to 13% after it was originally cut to 9% and Minister Harkin said this is a topic that has been raised with her constantly. 

She said: "Restaurants and food providers see this as an essential as some may not be able to remain open if it is not reduced. People have said that prices won't come down but the cost of doing business, whether that is insurance or other various costs, have escalated and we have to look at. Lowering the VAT will help that sector but will still have to look at those costs because they are closing and will continue to close."

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She said that Leitrim's town and villages "need businesses to function. Leitrim County Council are doing really good work with their plans for a number of towns; we have to make sure they are funded. In those towns you need to have services such as a healthcare centre etc., a place that looks well and that people want to live in and where you have people, businesses are more likely to thrive."

She stressed: "It's important to make sure that there is funding for the really good work that is already in train. That makes a real difference to the people living in the county."

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President Donald Trump’s proposed 30% tariffs rate on EU goods entering the United States would have significant impacts for Irish Whiskey and the wider drinks sector, it was reported this week.

Minister Harkin commented: "We're under the shadow of the tariffs and don't know what's going to happen. Some companies in the county could be quite vulnerable to the imposition of the tariffs that Trump is looking at. Trying to support and protect existing businesses is going to be an important issue if we are hit with a trade war."