Local communities across Co Kildare are urged to take part in Kildare's Lily White Clean-Up Day on Saturday.

Kildare Co Council is encouraging people to take pride in their local areas and is aspiring to be the cleanest county in Ireland.

Residents' associations, primary and secondary schools, tidy towns groups and individuals are being invited to get involved.

The Council is hoping it will be the biggest clean up Kildare has ever seen.

A Council spokesperson said: "This is a way of getting everybody motivated (including people who mightn't ordinarily get involved in clean-ups) to clean up part of their area - even if you only have half an hour.
"The Council will collect this waste by agreement in the week after this day.

"So, to ensure that we get all the collections done, we are asking that people apply by 5pm on Thursday April 4th using the application form to be found in www.kildare.ie/CountyCouncil/Forms/Environment/."

Apart from Lily White Day, the entire month of April is designated as National Spring Clean, so if you can't participate on the 6th, don't worry, there are clean-ups taking place at any time during the month and the removal of waste can also be organised.

Free Clean-Up Kit
You can get a free clean-up kit if you register for the National Spring Clean, go to www.nationalspringclean.org or phone An Taisce at 01 4002220. Once you have registered you will receive a useful clean-up kit.
Local clean-ups are organised in each town and village.
For example, Kildare Town Tidy Towns is asking volunteers to meet outside the Heritage Centre at 10am on Saturday.

National Spring Clean Month
Throughout the month of April, The National Spring Clean encourages communities from across Ireland to tackle the problem of litter in local areas and to see the benefits of a litter-free environment.

National Spring Clean is operated by the Environmental Education Unit of An Taisce in partnership with Local Authorities and supported by the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment.

Over the past 21 years, The National Spring Clean has been focused on the message of the collective responsibility we share in tackling and preventing our national litter problem.

By participating in organised clean-ups, groups and individuals of all ages come together to make a meaningful and positive contribution in their own communities.

This year 2019, the initiative wants to raise awareness about the link between litter and climate change – the biggest challenges of our time – and highlight how combined local actions can have a global effect.

With the participation in 2018 of over 500,000 volunteers and 2,600 tonnes of litter collected, of which 35% was recycled, the National Spring Clean 2019 aims to build on the progress and momentum from prior years to make 2019 the most successful anti–litter campaign yet.

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Gardaí are appealing for information in relation to the disappearance of 24 year old Peter Gallagher who went missing from his home at Newgrove Estate, Donaghmede, Dublin 5 on the 5th July 2003.

Peter had been celebrating at a Christening party at his home but he left the house in the early hours of Saturday the 6th of July and was never seen again.

Peter did not have his passport with him and there has been no activity on his bank account since.

His family have travelled throughout Ireland and the UK searching for him.

Peter would have celebrated his 40th Birthday this year.

His mother Caitríona and sister Aideen appeared on the recent CrimeCall programme on RTE appeal for information.

Gardaí at Coolock Garda Station are investigating tel: (01) 666 4200

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Danish furniture retailer has apologised to customers who had to wait in long queues at it's official opening day of its Naas store on Tuesday.

And it promised it has added more tills to speed up transactions in the Jigginstown premises.

Hundreds of people had flocked to the JYSK store on Tuesday with the first people queuing at 2am!

However some customers told KildareNow they were forced to wait over three hours between queuing outside and waiting to be served at the tills inside.

In a video on the store's Facebook, Roni Tuominen, JYSK Ireland's Head of Retail thanked customers who visited on Tuesday and added that it was a 'record-breaking' day for the opening of a new store.

But he also said: "I also want to apologise to those of you who needed to stay in the queue for a very long time.

"We learned lessons and speeded up the process so I really hope to see you again in the near future.

"So visit us in store or shop online."

JYSK Ireland also said it has listened to feedback from customers and have made some changes to speed up the ordering process, including adding more tills.

A spokesperson added: "So now you won’t have to wait as long to make your purchase.

"We hoped for a warm reception to our opening but we could not have expected such an amazing turnout – it was great to meet you all and we hope to see you in store again soon."

JYSK is hosting a customer appreciation day on Saturday afternoon with free coffee, tea and cakes.

Listen to Roni Tuominen, JYSK Ireland's Head of Retail: 

https://www.facebook.com/JYSK.Ireland/videos/367696513843409/

A lot of hype had been built up with Ads on bus stops in Naas.

And at Sallins Train Station (below).

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An Garda Síochána, in conjunction with the Public Appointments Service, has today opened a recruitment competition for Garda trainees.

The competition, which is open from today until 3pm on April 24 2019, is seeking to attract candidates from across society and with a wide-variety of skills to join An Garda Síochána.

As of 31 March 2019, there are 14,161 members of An Garda Síochána and there is a Government commitment to grow this to 15,000 by 2021.

The competition is being supported by an advertising campaign under the slogan of – The Difference is You.

The advertising campaign is based on research with Garda students and new recruits who said they joined An Garda Síochána to help people, because it was not like any other job, and it had great variety. The campaign will feature Garda members in a number of situations where every day skills can transfer into policing. The campaign will run across radio, online and social media from today, and TV and online video channels from April 12.

Commissioner Drew Harris said: "An Garda Síochána is a growing organisation and this new competition is very welcome. We have been attracting high calibre people to the organisation, but it is vital in a time of near full employment that this continues.

"We also know that we need to become a much more diverse organisation so that we properly reflect the society we serve. That is why our campaign is focusing on people who might not have previously considered a career as a Garda member. They have the skills we need for a policing role, but they might not have thought they could transfer those to being a Garda. Fundamentally, we are looking for people who thrive on keeping people safe. Policing is a highly rewarding career where every day you can make a difference to the lives of individuals and communities. We want to encourage people from all walks of life to join us. We are looking for diversity not only in background, but also in skills.”

In order to encourage candidates from minority communities, An Garda Síochána will consider alterations to the Garda uniform to take account of religious and ethnic requirements subject to operational, and health and safety obligations.

For example, An Garda Síochána is to allow the wearing of the turban for members of the Sikh community and the hijab for members of the Muslim community. An Garda Síochána has identified such matters as a major barrier to some people considering becoming a Garda member.

This approach is in line with that adopted by police services such as the PSNI, Police Scotland, New Zealand Police, NYPD, and other police services in UK, Australia and Canada.

"We hope that this will encourage people from minority communities to join An Garda Síochána. We want to demonstrate to them that An Garda Síochána is an inclusive employer that is serious about becoming more diverse,” said Commissioner Harris.

An Garda Síochána will update its uniform policy to reflect this change.

An Garda Síochána is also carrying out research with communities who are under-represented in An Garda Síochána to identify what more the organisation needs to do to encourage them to join An Garda Síochána either as a Garda member, Garda staff or Garda reserve.

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Gardaí wish to seek the public’s assistance in tracing the whereabouts of 34 year old Agnieska Supo who is missing from Ongar, Dublin 15.

Agnieska was last seen on the evening of Tuesday, April 2 in Ongar.

She is described as being approximately 5’ 8’’ tall, of medium build, with blue eyes and blonde hair.

When last seen she was wearing dark blue jeans and a red and dark blue coat.

If you have a story or want to send photos or videos to us please contact the KildareNow editorial team. via our Facebook, via our email at content@kildarenow.com or on 045 409350 during office hours.

A reminder of Féile Competitions happening on Sunday next at

Manguard Plus Hawkfield

Féile C 

Semi final 1 at 1.30pm

Ballykelly v Two Mile House.

Semi final 2 at 1.40pm

Kildangan Nurney v Athy

Feile C final at 3.10pm

Winner semi 1 v winner semi 2

___________________________________

Féile B

Semi final 1 at 1.50pm

Milltown v Rathcoffey

Semi final 2 at 2.20pm

Sallins v Ellistown

Feile B final at 3.55pm

Winner semi 1 v winner semi 2

___________________________________

Féile A

Semi final 1 at 3.20pm.

Kilcullen v St Laurences

Semi final 2 at 3.30pm

Balyna v Sarsfields

Feile A final at 4.40pm

Winner semi 1 v winner semi 2

Feature photos shows U16 Kildare player Leanna Tsang starting an attack from defence against Longford last weekend. Photo Pat Tinsley

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A Kildare native became the second lucky Lotto winner in the county this week after the numbers dropped in their favour and allowed them to pocket a tasty four-figure sum.

The anonymous punter selected for four numbers in their local BoyleSports shop for Wednesday evening’s Lotto Plus 2 draw.

He placed them into a €1 Yankee bet consisting of 11 different combinations of the numbers with a total stake of €11.

They only needed two of the four numbers to roll out to walk off with a profit, but things got much better than that as 2, 3, 5 and 32 all dropped and triggered a return on all 11 bets.

The biggest of the bets overcame odds of 3,800/1 and when the totals were added up, it meant the betting slip was worth a stunning €5,371.

The big win came after another lucky player in the area walked off with a total of €10,371 following their own punt on last weekend’s Lotto Plus 2 draw.

Lawrence Lyons, spokesperson for BoyleSports said: “We are beginning to wonder if there’s something in the water in Kildare because this is the second big winner we’ve had in the same area in just over a week.

"We are sending huge congratulations to our customer as they made light work of the big odds and we hope their handsome payout goes down well.”

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Co Kildare young mum-of-one and aspiring singer Julie McCabe will take to the stage in the third semi-final this Saturday, 6 April.

Talented Julie McCabe (30) is originally from Dublin and she is a passionate singer and blogger. She lives in Leixlip, Co Kildare, with her husband Glen and their three-year-old son Max.

Speaking to KildareNow this week ahead of the semi-final, Julie said: "It's nerve-wracking and exciting to be on 'Ireland's Got Talent'and to have made it to the semi-final. I was watching the other two semi-finals last weekend and it just surprises you because you don't know what the audience will think, anything can happen. It's all go for rehearsing at the moment and I can't wait to get on stage."

Julie has been singing for all of her life, particularly in earnest over the last eight years.

"It was my sister who actually applied for me to go on the show. We'd just found out that our son  Max (3) has autism and my sister thought the competition would give me something positive to do, to occupy my mind. It's been great for us all and Max is doing great now," explained Julie.

Julie McCabe from Leixlip during her audition on Ireland's Got Talent

In addition to being a devoted full-time mum to Max, Julie also runs a very popular fashion and beauty blog called 'Ordinary Gal.'

"I love everything to do with fashion and the blog lets me give people tips and advice on clothes and beauty. I've also been putting up music videos for the last 8 months and I've gotten positive feedback from it," she said.

As the finale of 'Ireland's Got Talent' draws closer, Julie is hoping to receive support form the people of Kildare so that she can continue her dream of pursuing a career in music.

"I'm hoping to continue pursuing music and singing, it would be a dream come true to do it full-time. It's so exiting to sing on stage, it's like an out-of-body experience," said Julie.

The third semi-final of 'Ireland's Got Talent' will air on Virgin Media Once this Saturday, April 6, from 7.30pm so make sure to tune in to find out how Julie gets on!

Follow Julie on Facebook:

Julie McCabe-Ordinary Gal

On Instagram:

Julie McCabe (@oordinarygal_)

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The Army Bomb Squad were called in after hand grenades and ammunition dating from the War of Independence were found in a house in Newbridge.

The Defence Forces' Explosive Ordnance Disposal team rushed to the property in Walshestown on Wednesday evening.

Gardai assisted in the removal of the devices, which were found in the back garden of the house as ground work was being carried.

A Defence Forces spokesman said: "The team arrived on scene at 6pm and a cordon was established around the scene.

"On inspection, a number of Mills 32 hand grenades were discovered.

"Further searching revealed a total of 16 grenades, three of which were live, and twenty rounds of 0.32 caliber ammunition.

"These munitions date from the War of Independence and as a precaution a further search of the area was deemed necessary."

Gardai maintain a security presence on the scene overnight and the Army experts returned again today.

An Army Engineer Specialist Search Team were deployed to conduct further sweeps for munitions this morning.

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A resident in Naas has raised concerns about broken glass lying on the ground in the Church Lane area of the town.

As these photos show, the broken glass on the cycle lane and roadway came from damage to windows on a building overlooking the route.

The reader said: "It's dangerous for the pedestrians and it is also dangerous for the cars.

"The wind is bringing it down."

If you have a story or want to send photos or videos to us please contact the KildareNow editorial team. via our Facebook, via our email at content@kildarenow.com or on 045 409350 during office hours.

If you have a story or want to send photos or videos to us please contact the KildareNow editorial team. via our Facebook, via our email at content@kildarenow.com or on 045 409350 during office hours.

Registrations are now open for Cycle Against Suicide’s annual cycle, which takes place from 27th of April to the 6th of May 2019 and will pass through Kildare on the 5^th and 6^th May. Cycle Against Suicide is an initiative to raise awareness of the help and support networks that are available to people across Ireland that are battling depression, self-harm, at risk of suicide or those bereaved by suicide.

At the launch with lead sponsor of the cycle, Iarnród Éireann, the organisation also announced its brand new social media initiative. The #ItsOKNotToFeelOK Challenge will invite people from across the country to show their support for and promote mental health awareness by taking a photo of themselves holding a poster of the Cycle Against Suicide slogan,#ItsOKNotToFeelOK, and posting it on their social media channels, challenging their friends to get involved by tagging them.

Building on the foundation of awareness that Cycle Against Suicide cycle has raised through its national and community-based cycles over the years; the #ItsOKNotToFeelOK Challenge is aiming to get at least 800 people involved in the online challenge – one person to represent each kilometre of the organisations 800km annual Cycle – helping to address the subject of mental health and suicide prevention. Cycle Against Suicide is appealing to the people of Kildare to get involved and take part in the challenge when the cycle is passing through their area.

The official 2019 route schedule and map are now live with the 2019 mapped out as an 800km route that will pass through many towns and counties, rallying hope and support in localities around the nation.

During the cycle, participants will visit 20 schools, colleges and community centres promoting the organisations key message, “It’s ok not to feel ok; and It’s absolutely okay to ask for help” and highlighting the critical help available to anyone experiencing mental health issues.

Register as a cyclist, volunteer or homestay provider today and together, shoulder to shoulder, let’s break the cycle of suicide in Ireland.

Cycle Against Suicide 2019 main cycle will take place from 27th of April to the 6th of May 2019. To register your support or for more information on the Cycle Against Suicide #itsOKNotToFeelOK Challenge, visit www.cycleagainstsuicide.com.

If you have a story or want to send photos or videos to us please contact the KildareNow editorial team. via our Facebook, via our email at content@kildarenow.com or on 045 409350 during office hours.

Photos by Ben Kelly 

If you have a story or want to send photos or videos to us please contact the KildareNow editorial team. via our Facebook, via our email at content@kildarenow.com or on 045 409350 during office hours.

News is emerging this evening that the owner of lost dog Hamish has been located.

Irish Rail also said that the train stowaway's real name is Tyson.

The mystery commuter from Sallins to Dublin was trending on Twitter today - and more popular than German leader Angela Merkel's historic visit to Dublin or the Aintree Festival.

Tyson is getting micro chipped by the My Lovely Horse charity in Kildare so if he goes a wandering again on public transport again, he can be identified!

He will be reunited with his family this evening.

A number of people had come forward claiming to own him.

He had no collar or microchip, but Irish Rail said he has a distinguishing feature which his rightful owner would recognise.

Hamish update!

🎉 His owners have been found!
🐶 His real name is Tyson!
🍟 He’s getting chipped by @MyLovelyHorseR so if he goes a wandering again, he can be found
💕 Family reunion TBC
💶 The movie rights are exorbitant!

👏 Thank you to everyone for spreading the word! pic.twitter.com/Bt4pJAY7hr

— Iarnród Éireann (@IrishRail) April 4, 2019

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The weather has taken a nasty turn and the evening's television viewing is not looking too exciting! 

Tonight, Way with Words Wicklow Literature Festival kicks off at Blessington Library with a lovely line up of entertainment: Harpist Kathleen Loughnane and Poet Moya Cannon (featured below)- commencing at 8pm. Why not enjoy an evening of music and poetry at Blessington Library located over Dunnes Stores Shopping Centre, Blessington. 

Award winning poet, Moya Cannon will feature along with acclaimed harpist, Kathleen Loughnane in Blessington Library  at 8pm. This is the very first event in the ‘Way With Words Wicklow’ Literature Festival which will run in Blessington Library over two weekends.

All events are free of charge and events may be booked on www.waywithwords.ie or http://www.waywithwords.ie/, eventbrite or just phone 045 891 740 at this stage.

   
Dr Ciara Kelly, Arnold Fanning and Marina Carr  - tomorrow, Friday, April 5
Dr Ciara Kelly will be in conversation with author, Arnold T Fanning and playwright, Marina Carr in Blessington Library on Friday 5 April at 8 pm. Join Ciara as she probes the writers on what it is like to write about such dark topics as family trauma, suicide and addiction.  Free event but you must be booked, so contact library at 891740 or book on www.waywithwords.ie or http://www.waywithwords.ie/

Manchán Magann Writing Workshop – Saturday, April 6
Manchán Magan is a writer and documentary maker. He has written books on his travels in Africa, India and South America and two novels. He regularly features on RTE, TG4 and the Travel Channel. He lives in an oak forest in a self-made hovel in Westmeath. This workshop on Saturday 6th April at 12 noon, will focus on hints and tips for travel and documentary writing and will appeal to anyone interested in writing or blogging.

Free event with limited spaces but you need to book a place so contact library at 891 740 or you may book on www.waywithwords.ie, http://www.waywithwords.ie/ www.waywithwords.ie or http://www.waywithwords.ie or EventBrite

Manchán Magann – Travel Exploration and Presentation – also Sat, April 6, 8pm
For all you interested in travel, this promises to be a wonderful evening. Come along to the library at 8pm on Saturday 6th April.

You’ll meet the great conversationalist and traveller Manchán Magan who is a virtual hermit, living in an oak forest. Come along and meet Manchán who you’ll likely recognise from his numerous TV documentaries; he will talk about the landscapes and cultures he has come across and discuss ways of accessing affordable tourism opportunities. Book this event by calling 045 891 740 or on www.waywithwords.ie or http://www.waywithwords.ie/

"Looking forward to seeing you at our events, all welcome" – Margaret.

Margaret Birchall, Executive Librarian, Blessington Library

Blessington Town Centre, Blessington, W91 RW83

Tel: 045 891 740 Email MBirchal@wicklowcoco.ie or MBirchal@wicklowcoco.ie

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Revenue officers have seized 2.9 million smuggled cigarettes during a search, under warrant, of a premises in Newhall, Naas.

Revenue only revealed details this afternoon of the operation which took place yesterday evening.

The cigarettes, branded ‘NZ’, originated in Belarus and have a retail value of over €1.6 million if you put a price of over €12 on each of the 150,000 20 packs.

They would have represented a potential loss to the Exchequer of over €1.3 million in taxes and excise duty.

The seizure was made during an operation conducted as part of the Cross Border Joint Agency Task Force.

A man in his 60s was questioned and investigations are ongoing with a view to prosecution.

Separately today, in an intelligence led operation, Revenue officers seized approximately 500 grams of herbal cannabis with an estimated street value of €10,000, during a search, under warrant, of a house in Coolock.

The seizure was made as a result of a joint intelligence-led operation conducted by Revenue’s Customs Service, Gardaí from the Divisional Drugs Unit in Coolock Garda Station and the Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau.

A 22-year-old man was arrested by Gardaí and is detained at Lucan Garda Station, under the provisions of Section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Drugs Trafficking) Act 1996. Investigations are ongoing.

These seizures are part of Revenue's ongoing operations targeting the importation of illegal drugs, and the sale and supply of tobacco products in the shadow economy.

The majority of people pay the right amount of tax and duty. If businesses or members of the public have any information about smuggling or the sale of illegal tobacco products, they can contact Revenue on Confidential phone number 1800 295 295.

If you have a story or want to send photos or videos to us please contact the KildareNow editorial team. via our Facebook, via our email at content@kildarenow.com or on 045 409350 during office hours.

Photos: Ben Kelly 

If you have a story or want to send photos or videos to us please contact the KildareNow editorial team. via our Facebook, via our email at content@kildarenow.com or on 045 409350 during office hours.

These photos were supplied by S Evans & Sons Demolition Specialists of the operation to demolish a bridge over the M7 last Friday and Saturday, as part ofthe SIAC /Colas M7 widening scheme.

The company, which was established in 1969, is based in Cheshire in the UK.

In consultation with Kildare Co Council and Naas Gardai, the motorway was officially closed to all traffic at 10pm on Friday night and the demolition team began work five hours later at 3am.

The team left the site at 12 midnight on Saturday night / Sunday morning.

The motorway later fully re-opened to traffic on Sunday morning at 6am, some 24 hours ahead of the scheduled time.

Drivers of the machines worked alternate shifts to complete the job.

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Not for the first time Naas CBS had a team full of stars last weekend as they battled to victory over Pobalsoil Chorca Dhuibhne in the Hogan Cup Semi-Final.

One of the players that took centre stage was Alex Beirne as he kicked four points and he summed up the feeling at the final whistle.

“It’s unreal, at the start of the year we set out our goals and we knew we were capable of getting here and its great to finally get over the line”.

“I know last year the lads fell just short so there was great determination to get the win and thankfully we did”.

“They started very well and we needed a few scores to settle us down as they had a lot of good forwards inside and we then got into a rhythm and we kicked on from there.”

The Centre Forward was the Kildare Minor Captain in 2018 and with so many Naas CBS lads also on that panel he puts down the experience as being vital in getting the team to an All-Ireland Final against St.Michael's of Enniskillen.

“We had our fair share of heartbreaks with the County team last year and with a lot of lads still suffering from when we lost the Leinster Final, the fact that we had so much experience of playing in big games certainly helped us get over the line as there is a great relationship between us all”.

“It helps when you have played in County Finals and big games before so we had a lot of belief coming into the game and we said if we can get our game plan into action then we can get over the line and thankfully we did in the end”.

“It’s what dreams are made of and we won’t stop now, we know a bit about St. Michael’s and we will be ready”, Beirne admitted.

Another man that has been key to Naas’s success has been Jack Hamill and the captain is one of the few that was there last year aswell.

“It’s some feeling, we obviously lost out last year at this point but to get over the line now especially with the lads that were there in 2018 is something special and we are going places where the school has never gone before and it’s just amazing”.

“The lads who were involved again this year have a lot of experience of playing in big games and even the lads coming through you can see them leading the way. Everyone’s on the same page and it’s a great feeling”.

Winning is nothing new to this group of players as they have done it through all the age groups coming up and they hope to do it one more time.

“There is something special about this team and even after the missed penalty we kept on going, we kept encouraging and talking to each other so we kept on going and we eventually won the game”.

“We know each other’s game so well and even coming up through the School at under 14s and 16s we have always being a winning team and are well able to play with each other so that’s a big help”.

“We are really looking forward to it now, we just have to get everything right and give it the best shot we have on Saturday”.

“It’s going to be a tough game and we all know it’s going to be close but if we can play to our full potential it will be hard for them to stop us” Hamill said.

If you have a story or want to send photos or videos to us please contact the KildareNow editorial team. via our Facebook, via our email at content@kildarenow.com or on 045 409350 during office hours.

Minister for Housing Eoghan  Murphy is announcing  new reforms to protect renters and provide greater housing security.

Commenting on the measures approved by cabinet Minister Murphy said:“These reforms are the most significant rental sector reforms in recent years. They will bring greater affordability and security for people who are renting."

He said: "Not only are we now extending rent controls out to the end of 2021, we are also changing the criteria to capture more areas experiencing high rent inflation, and closing down avenues that allowed some landlords to escape rent controls."

Minister Murphy said: "In addition, we are strengthening security of tenure provisions for tenants, and also extending notice to quit periods. This will help those in housing insecurity while also giving more time for people to find new accommodation where necessary."

He said: "Rebuilding Ireland is working to dramatically increase the supply of new homes, to rent and to buy, which is the fundamental problem in our housing sector. As supply increases, we can do more to protect people in housing insecurity, to protect renters against unaffordable rents, and in doing both, prevent more people from having to enter emergency accommodation."

He said: "It’s a time of significant change as we develop a more mature and stable rental sector in this country. This isn’t easy while there is a supply challenge, but it is necessary. Many of these new reforms are being made following a series of engagements between the Taoiseach and I and the leading NGOs in the area of homelessness. I want to thank them for their very constructive proposals. And while not all of them could be adopted in full, in particular that of banning tenancy terminations for reason of sale, because it was deemed unlawful, these changes will help people who are struggling most to keep a roof over their heads.”

Provisions relating to rent setting and rent reviews inside and outside of Rent Pressure Zones (RPZs):

-          The designation of existing RPZs will be extended to the end of 2021.

-          The exemptions from the 4% per annum rent increase restriction in RPZs have been revised so to apply only to the first rent setting, rather than every rent setting, during the period of RPZ designation in respect of a new rental property, including a property that had not be rented in the two year period prior to any RPZ designation.

-          Also, a definition is proposed to illustrate the type of works that qualify for the exemption from the rent increase restriction in respect of a substantial change in the nature of the rental property – such works shall consist of either a permanent extension increasing the floor area by 25% or at least three  of the following; (a) a permanent alteration of the internal layout, (b) adaptations for persons with a disability, (c) a permanent increase in the number of rooms, (d) an improvement in the BER by two or more ratings.

-          For fairness across the country, revisions are proposed in respect of the average rent qualifying criterion for RPZ designation. Using RTB data, (i) the rent of a dwelling in the Greater Dublin Area (Kildare, Wicklow and Meath) will now be compared to the average rent across the country, excluding Dublin rents; and (ii) the rent of a dwelling outside of the Greater Dublin Area will be compared to the average rent across the country, excluding the Greater Dublin Area rents.

-          Outside of RPZ’s, the requirement for bi-annual rent review cycles, rather than annual, will continue to the end of 2021.

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