Speaking after the Central Statistics Office CSO released its report on property prices nationwide. Wicklow Sinn Fein TD John Brady said that prices in the County are out of control.
Teachta Brady said:
“According to the CSO, property prices in Wicklow have jumped by almost twelve percent in the last twelve months. Nationwide property prices are now at eighty five percent of their peak during the disastrous Celtic tiger years. The possibility of owning your own home is becoming more and more remote for those who are starting out in life and for those who have been battered by the financial crisis and are hoping for a new start.”
“Even if you own your own home and are hoping to extract yourself from the negative equity trap, the house price increase is relative to the extent that people are left with a choice between jumping into the frying pan or the fire.”
Teachta Brady said that the failure of the government to get serious about addressing the shortage of social and affordable housing is one of the key drivers:
“One of the main drivers behind the price increase is the Fine Gael and Fianna Fail governments abject failure in providing social and affordable housing. The private housing stock is jammed with social housing tenants who are forced to pay ridiculous rents in order to put a roof over their heads. The situation is clearly a national emergency and for so long this Fine Gael/ Fianna Fail hybrid government refuse to recognise it, the situation can only get worse with reports now that house prices will continue to rise for at least seven more years.”
Brady concluded “Wicklow is one of only four local authorities not to construct any social houses over the last two years. We need to cut through the red tape and ensure that all resources are made available to local authorities to fast track the delivery of social houses. We also need the government to bring forward a long awaited plan to develop affordable houses for the many who are simply finding it impossible to keep up with the rising houses prices.”
