In a press release issued today, Property Industry Ireland, the Ibec sector representing businesses working in the Irish construction and property sector warned that there is a serious risk of a housing shortage.

Citing the latest CSO figures, they claim the problem will get worse if the problem is not addressed now. They have called for a more strategic approach to ensure this lack of supply does not lead to higher house prices.

Peter Stafford, Property Industry Ireland Director  said, "The problem is particularly bad in Dublin, but nationwide only 3,606 new housing units were granted permission last year. Since 2012, approximately the same number of houses were granted permission annually. The vast bulk of permissions granted continue to be for one-off houses and only 496 units were granted permission in Dublin last year. It's clear that uncertainty around the introduction of future planning reform legislation, changes to development contributions and new Social Housing (Part V) requirements are putting new developments on hold. 

Construction 2020, the Government's policy on housing, has highlighted the problems which arises when supply and demand is out of kilter. The reform of planning legislation and Construction 2020 must be implemented as a matter of urgency."

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