Cian O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay North, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

I would like to hear if the Minister has a view on price levels or if housing for all will set targets. In the past week, a house in Rathmines in poor condition and in need of significant renovation has attracted a bidding war with offers in excess of €530,000 above the asking price. These kind of bidding wars create huge anxiety and fear in prospective first-time buyers and have not been seen since the Celtic tiger years. Housing utility costs are 78% higher here than the EU average and Dublin has the second highest house prices in the eurozone. Prices are only higher in Luxembourg. The typical age of a joint purchaser has risen to 38 and the typical age of a single purchaser has risen to 42. Even the report of the Government's sub-committee on housing has warned that demand side measures could add to this so I am asking the Minister what kind of price levels he thinks are acceptable.

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