The latest Daft.ie report makes for grim reading for those trying to buy a home of their own, according to Social Democrats TD Cian O’Callaghan.
Deputy O’Callaghan, who is the party’s housing spokesperson, said:
“Asking prices for homes across the country increased by an average of 3.8 per cent between April of June when compared to the first three months of this year. This is the largest quarter-on-quarter rise since mid-2020.
“It represents a 6.7 per cent hike on the same three months of 2023 and means the average advertised price of a home in Ireland is now €340,398.
“This level of house price inflation is unsustainable and is putting home ownership even further out of reach.
“This Government has repeatedly shown that it is incapable – and unwilling – to tackle the key issue of housing affordability.
“I put forward a series of amendments to the Planning and Development Bill that would have ensured a consistent supply of new affordable homes to bring down the cost of housing.
“These included putting affordability as a key objective of the National Planning Framework; creating a new zoning for affordable housing; and implementing the recommendations of the Kenny Report by using compulsory purchase orders (CPOs) to buy land for affordable and social housing.
“Regrettably, the Government refused to accept any of these practical proposals and seem determined to keep house prices artificially high.
“With the impact of the housing crisis felt in every part of the country, this approach flies in the face of logic and shows that the Government is completely out of ideas.”
June 24, 2024