Sinn Féin spokesperson on Housing Eoin Ó Broin TD has commented on the findings of a new ESRI report Assessing the impacts of Covid-19 on the Irish Property Market: An overview of the issues.

The report has echoed Sinn Féin calls for the government to increase investment in social and affordable housing.

Teachta Ó Broin said: “This special report published by the ESRI on the Irish property market and the impact of Covid-19 calls for an increase in the state provision of social and affordable housing.

“The report contends that the household supports introduced during the pandemic have helped to stabilise the housing market.

“However, once these are withdrawn and if incomes fall, there is likely to be downward pressure on the market.

“The report also indicates that the impact of the pandemic and the restrictions on housing supply might not become clear for a year and if demand does start to pick up, there will be pressure on the market due to an under supply.

“A key line from the report echoes what many of us have being saying, which is that one of the most appropriate policy responses is for an increase in the state provision of social and affordable housing.

“Furthermore, the report concisely outlines what the government’s priority in terms of housing should be going forward which is ‘ultimately, facilitating cheaper, more efficient housing supply is the primary policy concern in the housing market over the medium term’.

“Budget 2021 is an opportunity to do this. Sinn Féin in government would deliver 20,000 public homes a year and 8,000 of these homes will be affordable cost rental and affordable purchase homes.

“The government must listen to the advice of the ESRI and others and prioritise investment in social and affordable homes on public land.”