Louth TD says there were no affordable-purchase homes in the county last year

Rising house prices and the difficulties with the recent affordable housing scheme in Louth mean that homeownership is getting further and further away from workers and families, Dundalk TD Ruairí Ó Murchú has told Taoiseach Simon Harris.

The Sinn Féin TD asked An Taoiseach about the recent daft.ie report which showed that the average house price in Louth is now almost €300,000, up seven percent in a year.

He said that while it was accepted that affordable housing targets are too low, even those low targets were not being met and homes are “not affordable for the majority of working people.”

Deputy Ó Murchú said: “In Louth, there were no affordable-purchase homes in 2022 or 2023. 

“I brought up the issue of Cois Farraige already. A cost of €305,000 is not an affordable house in County Louth. 

“Only five out of 26 applicants met the criteria. The time was extended and more people applied but what was meant to be ten affordable houses has ended up being five affordable houses. 

“We know that house prices continue to rise. They are up 35% since the onset of Covid, and show no sign of falling in any way, shape, or form. 

“The Government must look at the scheme as it is not working. The local authority in Louth and its officials say there is an issue with the criteria. 

“This is not the first time I have raised the matter, but we need somebody to look at it and to come up with a scheme that will work and provide affordable housing.”

In response, Taoiseach Simon Harris said: “Deputy Ó Murchú said the affordable scheme needs to be looked at and reviewed. 

“I will raise this specifically with the Minister, Deputy O'Brien.”