House costs to rise on builder levy

HOUSE prices could be set for yet another increase after the Government’s decision to impose a levy on builders who have let planning permission run out.

The stringent rules on allocating 20% of housing developments for social and affordable housing will also be relaxed.

The measures being introduced by Environment Minister Martin Cullen are aimed at getting the supply of housing up to meet the level of demand. But the Opposition claims that the changes in the law will actually delay social housing and allow builders to get out of providing social and affordable houses.