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Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 11 Feb 1965

Vol. 214 No. 2

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Land Price Control.

66.

asked the Minister for Local Government if, in view of the exorbitant prices demanded by landowners for developed and undeveloped sites suitable for the provision of houses in the Dublin city and county areas resulting in a consequential big rise in the cost of new houses, he will consider introducing some measure to control the price of land so as to ease the burden on potential house purchasers.

I am aware that the cost of land in the Dublin area has increased considerably in recent times and that this may be ascribed, in part at least, to the growing demand for sites for private and public housing. This trend is in keeping with experience in other countries as to the effect of expanding housing and other economic activities on land prices in the vicinity of large urban concentrations. A system of price control or other solution to the problem, consistent with the principles of market value in land transactions is not readily devised.

Certain measures are, however, in hand or under consideration which I expect will afford some relief in the Dublin area. Under the Local Government (Planning and Development) Act, 1963, all planning authorities are now required to relate the supply of land zoned for building to the expected development of their area to take the necessary steps, such as the provision of water and sewerage services, to facilitate such development. Planning studies at present in progress in the Dublin region will help to establish the extent of the provision to be made for housing development and the most suitable locations for such development. Major drainage extension projects in prospect will greatly increase the supply of land which can be developed for housing and other purposes.

I have for long encouraged housing authorities to make wider use of their powers to provide sites for private housing. The authorities may purchase land by agreement or compulsorily and may sell or lease developed or undeveloped housing sites. They may also carry out any works ancillary to the development of the land for housing purposes. I would like to see these powers being more widely used to help in easing the present difficulties of private persons in finding suitable sites at reasonable cost. I am glad to say that Dublin Corporation and Dublin County Council have the matter under active consideration at present.

Is the Minister aware that this whole question of land values results in higher prices being charged to the small builders, some of whom are being forced out of business by being unable to purchase suitable sites. They are now finding themselves in competition with some cross-Channel organisations coming in here. The price of land is one of the most serious factors in the high price of houses today. Could he not envisage some measure of control or give some warning to these people that they are complicating the housing situation?

The only logical solution is that the local authorities should acquire the land themselves and make it available to the smaller developer who wishes to build and who may now find himself being frozen out of the market. The local councils can acquire the land and let it or sell it to any of these people for the provision of houses for our people.

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