Irish housing crisis: Increased supply will not help affordability

Host Ciarán Hancock is joined by an expert panel

Listen | 25:14
Data from the BPFI show that almost 60 per cent of home buyers were younger than 30 back in 2004. In 2024, according to Central Bank of Ireland figures, almost half of first-time buyers (44 per cent) are older than 35.
Data from the BPFI show that almost 60 per cent of home buyers were younger than 30 back in 2004. In 2024, according to Central Bank of Ireland figures, almost half of first-time buyers (44 per cent) are older than 35.

This week we are focusing on mortgages and housing supply. Host Ciarán Hancock is joined by an expert panel comprising Irish Times finance correspondent Joe Brennan, economics correspondent Eoin Burke-Kennedy and Home & Design Editor Fiona Reddan.

Fiona Reddan profiles the typical Irish house buyer in the market. How old are they? Where are they buying? What kind of salary are they earning and how big a part does the ‘Bank of Mum and Dad’ play?

Eoin Burke-Kennedy explains why there are so many differing views in the market as to how many houses we need to build to meet annual demand. Will 50,000 suffice, or should it be as high as 85,000? And will reaching those targets actually have any real impact on affordabilty?

And Joe Brennan discusses plans by digital bank Revolut to offer mortgages in the Irish market from next year. A move that should make AIB and Bank of Ireland sit up and take notice.

READ MORE

Produced by John Casey with JJ Vernon on sound.