‘Handing grants to buyers will not solve housing crisis’, says Irish Society of Chartered Surveyors

The Government will not make a dent in the housing crisis by handing out grants in the budget to first-time buyers, “as supply is the problem and not demand”, according to the Irish Society of Chartered Surveyors (SCSI) .

President Claire Solon also warned a reduced 30% income tax rate would not be as attractive to prospective returning emigrants due to a well-priced rental market and lack of affordable first homes.

She warned if the Government wants to increase house buying, it must concentrate on “facilitating affordable supply that can be built quickly”.