Minister for Housing Simon Coveney says the Government has no plans to forcibly take possession of vacant properties.
Speaking at a conference organised by the Housing Agency focussing on the issue of affordability, Mr Coveney said he had no “absolute” statements to make on plans to address the housing crisis, but they would include accessing the some 250,000 empty properties around the country while respecting property rights.
He said that there will be six-month emergency plans implemented in urban areas to “inject some adrenalin into the system” and also added that student accommodation is easier to provide through and would possibly free up affordable rental properties.
Housing Agency Chairperson Conor Skehan stated that a third of the population will need state support to buy or rent their home.
The conference also heard that 100,000 homes will be needed by 2020 and there are plans to build 35,000 social units.
