Sinn Féin spokesperson on Housing, Eoin Ó Broin TD, has said that only a dramatic increase in affordable homes delivered by Local Authorities and Approved Housing Bodies will curb spiralling house prices.

The Dublin TD’s comments were made as the latest MyHome.ie property report showed house prices rising by 7.3%, with median house prices now at €365,000 state-wide and €465,000 in Dublin.

Teachta Ó Broin said:

“The latest MyHome.ie report confirms that house prices continue to spiral upwards. Median house prices are now at €365,000 across the state and €465,000 in Dublin. Low public and private sector supply, coupled with inflationary policies, are driving house prices every higher.

“Only a dramatic increase in affordable homes will curb spiralling house prices. But instead focusing on the need for increased and accelerated delivery of genuinely affordable homes for working people, Darragh O’Brien continues to bury his head in the sand, claiming his plan is working.

“Despite the Minister’s claims that new home commencements are at record highs, the Department of Finance have cast doubt on the latest commencement figures, saying they were inflated due to builders submitting documents to meet the April deadline for the development levy and water connection waiver.

“The price of new homes delivered by the private sector are not affordable for the majority of working people, even with the Government’s so-called Help To Buy scheme and controversial Shared Equity Scheme.

“What is needed is tens of thousands of genuinely affordable homes to rent and buy delivered by Local Authorities and Approved Housing Bodies. However, it is clear that this Government has no intention of delivering genuinely affordable homes.

“That’s why we need a general election, a change of Government and a Sinn Féin housing plan delivering the affordable homes that working desperately need and rightly deserve.”