House Prices – Fundamental Shake-Up In Housing Policy Needed – Brokers Ireland

Press Release

Wednesday 16th April, 2025  

Commenting on the CSO Residential Property Price Index for February showing prices up 8% overall in the 12 months to February, 7.1% in Dublin and 8.7% elsewhere, Brokers Ireland said while the yearly level of increase is down marginally, month-on-month it has moved up slightly.

“Regardless, we’re talking about ongoing growth in house prices which are already high,” said Rachel McGovern, Deputy Chief Executive at Brokers Ireland. “Housing policy must break with the disturbing acceptance there has been of the low level of housing delivery.”

She said the fact that some are now looking towards a recession to calm house price growth is an appalling situation, and speaks to the dysfunction of housing policy.

“For far too long, over a decade, we’ve accepted piecemeal, incremental growth in supply at a time when our population has been growing rapidly.

“The Government’s awaited new housing plan must involve a fundamental shake-up in the State’s response to housing,” she said.

And she said to date a number of new initiatives have been promised, including a housing czar; a new Strategic Housing & Infrastructure Delivery Office, and a new coordination and implementation group to operate from the Taoiseach’s department.

“We all know what the impediments are,” she said. “It’s beyond time to break down the barriers.”

She said Government actions need to be “urgent, unprecedented, brave and decisive.”

Ends

Further information:  Rachel McGovern,    Deputy Chief Executive, Brokers Ireland          Tel. 086-8259938

Mairéad Foley, Foley Ryan Communications                                                                          Tel. 086-2556764