Government considers total ban on vulture funds buying up thousands of family homes 

TDs and senators from opposition and government parties alike call for measures to stop investors 'outbidding ordinary buyers'

Housing Minister Darragh O'Brien is now looking at various emergency options. Picture: Gareth Chaney/Collins Photos

An outright ban on vulture funds is being considered as the Government scrambles to block international investors from buying thousands of family homes.

Darragh O’Brien, the housing minister, is looking at various emergency options after it emerged that international investors have been buying up almost entire housing estates and preventing first-time buyers from getting on the property ladder.