24 April 2025
House Completions– Emergency Measures Needed – IPAV
Commenting on the latest CSO New Dwelling Completions for Q1 2025 IPAV, the Institute of Professional Auctioneers & Valuers, said the 2% rise on the same period in 2024 comes on what was already a wholly inadequate level of home building.
Pat Davitt, IPAV’s Chief Executive said: “If those figures were to be repeated for the remainder of the year it would give 24,000 for the full year.
“That said, it’s good to see homes being built in the west and south west. This points to the fact that price increases in the regions are making it more viable for builders to build,” he said. “It’s still not enough throughout the regions of smaller towns.
“This will only happen when more small builders get back into building and this will only happen when they can borrow money and are facilitated with emergency legislation giving small sties the planning required in a short time frame.”
“The Government’s awaited new housing plan must contain nothing short of emergency planning rules, for a period of time.
“And the Government needs to rise above and confront misinformation, such as that which says the previous Section 23 tax incentive was responsible for the last housing crisis,” he said.
“The reality is the banks over lent, often for the same properties. The Section 23 tax incentive was a huge success, the fact that it went on longer than it should have and was extended far beyond what was wise doesn’t negate the fact that it was a success in getting homes built, such positive incentives work in encouraging the building of homes.”
And he said decision makers need to face up to and deal with the dire consequences arising from Ireland having one of the world’s most severe rent control systems.
“Increasingly home ownership is becoming the preserve of those with means, on high salaries or those lucky enough to have family financial support, and it is having very negative social and economic consequences.
“It feels like many have become inured to the depth of the housing problem, since the lack of supply has become so deep rooted and prolonged,” he said.
And he said the new housing tzar would need strong powers to effect fundamental change.
Ends