Bulk Buying of Residential Property by Comercial Institutional Investment Funds
‘Census 2022 figures showed that 41% of people aged between 18 and 34 were listed at their parents’ home on census night. (CSO database table: F3052). The role of Commercial Institutional Investment Funds that bulk buy homes in new developments is a disaster for this age cohort particularly. A report in the Sunday Business Post, dated 12th March 2024, headlined with: ‘Home Buyers Purchased just 523 of the 9,100 Apartments Built in Dublin Last Year.’ The 10% tax put in place by the Govt. in 2021 has not proven effective in deterring commercial institutional investors, considering that bulk purchasing has increased by 233 percent since 2021. In addition, the tax levied only applies to houses, not apartments. Furthermore, homes leased back to the State for social housing are exempt from the tax. (McDonald Report, September 2024).
Building on the example of Wicklow County Council, this Motion calls on Cork City Council to amend the existing City Development Plan, such that the bulk sale in all developments of residential units, whether houses, duplexes or apartments, to commercial institutional investment bodies shall be prohibited.’
N40 Curraheen Interchange Road Access to MTU
‘That Cork City Council notes that:
Traffic congestion in the greater Bishopstown area, exasperated by the return of MTU students, is having a hugely negative effect on the business life, health, lifestyle and delivery of bus services, all of which has been well amplified in the media of late. The completion of the access road infrastructure to MTU, linking the N40 Curraheen Interchange with an existing roundabout located within the MTU Campus, would greatly improve the situation for all. Indications are that further progress of this scheme is pending financial approvals from the NTA.
And calls on the C.E to:
Undertake to intensify efforts to expedite such financial approvals and other conditions in order to enable completion of the project, thereby relieving the community of the burden of traffic congestion, bus delays and problematic parking.’PRESS ON IMAGE TO CONNECT WITH ALBERE DEASY
Permanent Base for Cork City First Responders
‘Cork City First Responders is a voluntary organization that has been serving the Cork City area since 2012, with 52 highly trained volunteers who work in conjunction with the National Ambulance Service, providing 24/7, year-round service within a 7.5km radius of the Marina Market. In 2023 alone, they responded to over 1,800 emergency callouts on a voluntary basis. The team supports the community in cases of cardiac arrest, chest pain, respiratory emergencies, choking, and strokes. They also work closely with local community groups, promoting vital life-saving skills such as CPR and defibrillation. Over the past year, they have trained more than 1,500 people in these crucial potentially lifesaving techniques.
Cork City First Responders need a permanent base of operations, ideally circa 2000sq. ft., with 2 training rooms and 2 offices spaces, along with storage and welfare facilities.
This motion calls on the Chief Executive to review existing premises to ascertain if City Council can offer Cork City First Responders a permanent base anywhere within the City Boundary.
Inadequate and dangerous footpath at Garrane Lane, Bishopstown, Cork.
That Cork City Council carry out an inspection of inadequate and dangerous footpath at western side of Garrane Lane, Bishopstown. Pedestrians are forced to use the roadway because of the inadequacy of the existing layout, presenting a danger to life and limb. A segregated, shared use, cycle and pedestrian pathway would serve the needs of the residents.