Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 30 Apr 1997

Vol. 478 No. 5

Written Answers. - House Prices.

Liam Fitzgerald

Question:

64 Mr. L. Fitzgerald asked the Minister for the Environment his views on whether the shortage of land for development purposes in the greater Dublin area and its hinterland, in view of demand for houses in that area, is contributing to the spiralling, inflationary prices of houses; the action, if any, he proposes to take to address this problem; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11528/97]

Minister for the Environment (Mr. Howlin)

The demand for housing in the Dublin area is influenced by a combination of factors; remarkable economic growth, demographic trends, increased income, low interest rates and strong employment growth. It is clear that the supply of housing in the area has responded well to the increase in demand over recent years, with the number of new housing units completed in the city and county area increasing from 4,285 in 1988 to 9,446 in 1996. Planning statistics for 1996 show that there was an increase of 18 per cent over 1995 in the number of dwelling units granted planning permission in the Dublin and Mid-Eastern regions.

Preliminary data supplied by the Dublin local authorities indicates that there are about 4,000 acres of green field or vacant land serviced and zoned for housing in Dublin city and county. At a suburban density of ten to the acre, this would provide for some 40,000 houses. There is a further substantial acreage of serviced and zoned land in the adjoining counties. In addition, a significant number of "brown field" sites will become availablevia the demolition of old houses, offices and warehouses, reuse of derelict land etc. and in the context of the docklands development plan. Apartments, which are predominantly located on infill or brown field sites account for 40 per cent of new housing units in Dublin city and county. Clearly, there is considerable potential for further residential development on such sites, although by its very nature, this is difficult to quantify.

The supply and spread of serviced development land are among the aspects to be considered in developing planning guidelines for the greater Dublin area, a process which I am currently setting in train with the local and regional authorities concerned.