Another report, same crisis – Where is Government urgency on housing disaster?
- 12% house price hike in Daft report – how much higher will they go?
Labour’s Housing Spokesperson Conor Sheehan TD has slammed the Government’s failure to tackle the housing crisis following the latest Daft.ie report, which shows that house prices have surged by 12% year-on-year in March 2025. In Limerick, prices have risen at the same rate, pushing homeownership further out of reach. Deputy Sheehan has called for urgent action, warning that Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael have normalised a crisis that should be front-page news.
Deputy Sheehan said:
“Report after report confirms what we already know—house prices are spiralling out of control, and this Government refuses to act. In the last year alone, asking prices have risen by 12%. If this continues, how much more will they rise over the course of this Government’s term? On The Week in Politics last Sunday, Minister Peter Burke said “We’re turning the tide” on the housing disaster – how many times is someone from Fianna Fáil or Fine Gael going to say this??
“We now have over 15,000 people homeless, yet this is no longer seen as an emergency under Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael. This crisis has been completely normalised. People are being told to accept that homeownership is a pipe dream, that sky-high rents are here to stay, and that waiting years for social housing is just the way things are. That is unacceptable.
“The Minister’s suggestion to relax lending regulations for developers building apartments is alarming. This kind of kite flying from the Government is meaningless; what we need is real, tangible action. Allowing developers to borrow more without addressing the fundamental issues is a recipe for disaster.
“Developers need a stable and predictable environment to operate effectively. Engaging in speculative policy announcements only adds to the uncertainty, hindering progress in the sector. Instead of tinkering around the edges and handing out tax cuts to developers, we need bold action to build more homes.
“There are actionable steps that can be taken now. Labour has consistently called for the Land Development Agency to be transformed to ensure that the State plays a direct role in housing provision. We also believe the Housing Solidarity Fund could be mobilised to support affordable housing initiatives, providing much-needed relief to those struggling with housing costs.
“The housing crisis is not inevitable—it is the result of political choices. We need an overhaul of Ireland’s broken housing system. Families, workers, and young people deserve secure, affordable homes, and Labour will fight to make that a reality.”