Massive growth in the population of Ireland between 2015 and 2023 has seen demand for housing reach a ratio of now just under 4 to 1. This means that for every four persons seeking a house, only one property is available.
The massive demand for housing in Ireland is resulting in a huge increase in property prices which is now beyond the reach of most young people.
Some observers say the government is failing badly to address the needs of people who are trying to get on the property ladder.
“We have failed to stem that flow and failed to build appropriate social homes to allow them the dignity of being able to be housed,” David Hall, CEO of iCare Housing, tells Euronews.
“So, we have a massive crisis here at the moment that is increasing year upon year and a massive supply and demand that doesn’t mix, doesn’t connect and is completely disconnected and at odds with what our needs are.”
Central to the massive demand for housing is the rapid rise in the population.
The numbers in the country have risen from 3.6 million in the mid 1990’s to a current figure of 5.1 million. However, in that time, the number of housing completions has fallen behind demand.
General election looming
A recent study found that Ireland has a higher house-demand ratio than Spain, the UK, Germany and the US. The demand per capita is twice that of Australia — a popular destination for immigrants from all over the world.
The Irish government says that despite the current figures, the rate of housing completions is improving. “For ten years up to 2020, not enough homes were being built,” says Darragh O’Brien, Ireland’s Minister for Housing.
“But if I look at what we’re doing now, that in the first two years of ‘Housing for all’, we significantly exceeded our targets, we will do so again this year by delivering private, really good social housing, social housing at a rate we haven’t seen for over 50 years and affordable homes for working people for the first time in a generation.”
With a general election coming down the line in the coming months, housing could be an issue that determines who forms the next government.
