Builders to get State land in return for affordable houses

The Government is reportedly planning a new scheme under which property developers will be given prime State-owned land in return for building cheaper houses elsewhere.

Reports this morning said the scheme would see valuable sites in areas like Dublin city centre signed over to builders who agree to construct affordable housing in the suburbs.

A nine-member team headed by former SIPTU president Des Geraghty will reportedly be appointed to oversee the initiative.

Details are due to be announced by the Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, at the Irish Congress of Trade Unions' biennial conference in Belfast today.