Govt welcomes housing report

The Government today welcomed the publication by the National Economic and Social Council of its report into tackling Ireland's housing crisis.

Taoiseach Bertie Ahern said the report, Housing in Ireland: Performance and Policy, provides a thoughtful and well-researched analysis on housing issues and challenges for the future.

The report said key policy challenges are:

* To achieve high quality, sustainable, development in both urban andrural areas;

* To provide an effective range of supports to those households fall below the affordability threshold;

* To assist the market to continue to provide a high level of supply

* To ensure a tax and subsidy regime that supports these goals.

Mr Ahern added the Government will now carefully consider the conclusions and recommendations contained within this report along with a number of other proposals in relation to housing.