Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The April 2021 price index released by the CSO shows in general a rising trend in house prices with some variations across areas and property type. These increases must be viewed in the context of the proceeding year, which included national lockdowns and restrictions on movement, which impacted severely on the construction sector and our supply. Obviously, there has been a lot of pressure on the second-hand market and the ability of sellers and purchasers to engage in normal sales activity, including physical viewings. We had a situation that was far from ideal in respect of virtual viewings and biddings but those changes had to be made in the context of public health advice. The ongoing easing of Covid restrictions will support a full reopening of the housing market and a return to a more normal supply of properties for sale. This will impact positively on the rate of price increases. The wide range of actions set out in the programme for Government will continue to deliver increases in housing supply and affordable housing, which is a priority for me, despite the challenges presented by Covid and will support a moderation in house prices.

The new housing plan entitled housing for all, which I will publish in the coming weeks, will set out a whole-of-government approach to outline how we get to a housing system that gives us sustainable supply at a price people can afford with appropriate housing options, particularly for the most vulnerable. We will bring the Affordable Housing Bill, which has passed the Seanad, into the Dáil for Second Stage later. This is the most comprehensive affordable housing legislation ever published by any Government. In particular, this Bill will help those in the unaffordability trap.

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