Vol. 492 No. 3
34 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if he has satisfied himself that there will be an adequate supply of rental accommodation available at reasonable prices for those who require same; and, if not, the measures, if any, he has to fill the expected shortage of this accommodation. [13856/98]
The consultants' report, "An Economic Assessment of Recent House Price Developments", concluded that there was evidence that there has been an increase and greater diversification in the rented housing sector in recent years with both demand and supply currently strong. The consultants also found evidence that changing patterns of housing demand are sufficient to support a growing and more diversified rented sector. The measures to boost housing supply generally, contained in the Government's "Action on House Prices", will help in this regard. The overall package of measures is designed to dampen house price increases which, together with anticipated further reductions in interest rates, should also have a positive impact on the supply and cost of housing for renting.
