It could be up to a decade before there are enough properties on the market for buyers and renters, it was suggested today.

The Government should consider funding an SSIA-type mortgage savings scheme to help young and low-income buyers get on the property ladder, the Housing Finance Agency says.

Chinese acquirers will spend $1.5 trillion (€1.28tn) buying companies and investing overseas in the next decade, 70% more than the previous 10 years, even as regulators at home and abroad block deals, multinatonal law firm Linklaters has said.

Only one in five of residential properties sold in Cork so far this year have been purchased by first-time buyers writes Seán McCárthaigh.

The Labour leader has announced plans to give cash top-ups to first-time buyers to help them get a mortgage.