Government must focus on affordable, secure homes

Why does the government seems hell-bent on propping up the failed housing policy based on privatisation and outsourcing principles, asks Irish Examiner reader Jim O'Sullivan.

It is not surprising that the Government plans legislation to allow the sale of public lands to the Land Development Agency with no proper scrutiny by elected representatives. (“Councils to transfer land to Land Development Agency without vote from councilors”, Irish Examiner, February 5). Incredibly, regardless of what the plans are for such lands, elected councilors will not be allowed intervene. This diminution of democratic scrutiny is even more remarkable given the long list of scandals associated with such matters. We all can still remember the infamous Galway tent and there must be now real fears that there remains some in the corridors of power who yearn for those opaque ways.

The press release issued by Government gives a strong indication that this “plan” warrants the most stringent scrutiny, as it will not address the core causes rendering housing inaccessible for citizens. A recent report from the Society of Chartered Surveyors found that the cheapest two-bed apartment available in Dublin, “which would be a low-spec build in a low-rise suburban development, had a sales price of €375,000”. This would require a deposit of €37,500 and an annual income of at least €96,000. The average income is €44,000. This small apartment is even beyond the means of two people both on the average income. Nowhere does this “plan” address that and, indeed, the Land Agency has not as yet given any indication that it intends to either. What we are seeing is the same system of delivering housing, which will deliver the exact same result, dressed in semi-state clothing.