Seán Haughey
Question:297 Mr. Haughey asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the measures he is taking to reduce the rate of increase in house prices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18089/00]
Vol. 522 No. 2
297 Mr. Haughey asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the measures he is taking to reduce the rate of increase in house prices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18089/00]
One of the key objectives of the Government's housing strategy is to moderate house price increases and restore balance to the housing market. To this end, the Government has implemented a wide range of measures to boost housing output, remove infrastructural and planning constraints on residential development and improve affordability for first-time buyers and lower income households. Earlier this year, I commissioned Peter Bacon and Associates to review developments in the housing market and to make recommendations for action required to bring supply more in line with demand and improve housing affordability, especially for first-time buyers. In parallel with this study, my Department reviewed the range of social and affordable housing programmes.