The Government is being called on to help first-time buyers with their deposits for an affordable housing mortgage.

There have been nearly 16,000 hits on the new website www.affordablehome.ie since its launch on June 25, the Affordable Homes Partnership said today.

THE introduction of 100% mortgages by banks and building societies has played an important role in creating the current housing crisis, a leading homeless campaigner has claimed.

Proposals for more than 1,000 new affordable homes to be built across south Dublin were unveiled today.

Local authorities throughout the country are being urged not to accept cash payments from developers in lieu of social and affordable housing.

The Government has agreed a deal with developers that will see 89 new affordable homes constructed at Ongar village in the Clonsilla area of west Dublin.

The Government is reportedly set to announce plans for the provision of up to 3,000 new affordable homes throughout the Greater Dublin area in the coming years.

PROPERTY speculators trying to make a fast buck in the Irish housing market would be better off dealing in oil and cocoa beans from now on, the Minister of State for Housing said last night.

Property speculators trying to make a fast buck in the Irish housing market would be better off dealing in oil and cocoa beans, a Government minister said tonight.

The Government has today launched an information booklet to help people who qualify for affordable housing.

Taoiseach Bertie Ahern has predicted the Affordable Homes Partnership he announced earlier this month will lead to the development of many derelict sites in Dublin.

WEALTHY property developers stand to gain the most from a new Government scheme to provide affordable housing, the Opposition warned last night.

A new Government agency will fast-track the building of up to 10,000 affordable homes in the greater Dublin area, it emerged today.