Photo: David Creedon Photography
P.J. O’Driscoll & Sons Solicitors will host a conference entitled Housing Affordability and Supply – Delivering Solutions on Thursday September 20 at the Fota Island Resort from 2pm to 5pm. The conference will address the key issues affecting the housing crisis, including the affordability and supply of housing and what solutions can be provided to tackle these problems.
An impressive array of speakers has been confirmed for the conference, including Michael O’Flynn, CEO and Chairman of the O’Flynn Group; Declan Dunne, Chief Executive of Respond, the Housing Agency; Michael Lynch, Director of Services for Planning, Cork County Council; Jim Keogan, Director with McCutcheon Halley Planning Consultancy, and formerly Assistant Chief Executive with Dublin City Council; Mairi Henderson, Associate Director with McCutcheon Halley Planning Consultancy; Pat O’Sullivan, Head of Real Estate, AIB, Dublin, and Elaine O’Driscoll, Managing Partner, P.J. O’Driscoll & Sons. The conference will be MCed by broadcaster Matt Cooper.
Speaking at the conference launch, Michael O’Flynn, CEO and Chairman of O’Flynn Group, said: “The timing of this conference is really good as the issues around housing are at a critical stage.
“Too much time has been spent discussing the problem and not enough time is solution-focused, which is where our energy now has to go. The biggest issue around housing is that it is costing too much to produce at a price that the average couple can afford.
“Quite frankly, house prices are too expensive and the main drivers of this are the land cost and the taxes in the cost base, e.g. VAT at 13.5% and the 10% provision for Social Housing.”
Speaking ahead of the conference, Joan Kiely, Partner at P.J. O’Driscoll & Sons and Conference Coordinator, said: “Our firm has been closely involved with the construction industry for over 50 years and we believe the timing is right to hold the conference here in Cork, as housing affordability and supply is now a priority concern at every level of our society.
“The conference will be addressed by a very high quality panel of speakers all of whom are leading national and regional figures. It will cover topics relevant to aspiring first time buyers, business owners seeking to attract employees and families threatened with homelessness. Our aim is to encourage a lively debate on the day and to make further progress on the road to delivering real solutions.”
P.J. O’Driscoll & Sons, with offices on South Mall in Cork City, is one of the leading law firms in the country in the area of construction and development. The firm has gained its expertise through its long established involvement with the construction industry at every level.
