The latest property prices published by the Central Statistics Office (CSO) provide further damning evidence of failed housing policy by this and previous governments, according to Social Democrats TD Rory Hearne.
Deputy Hearne, who is the party’s housing spokesperson, said:
“Prospective buyers are seeing the dream of homeownership evaporate before their eyes because of this government’s completely inept handling of the housing crisis.
“According to figures released by the CSO, the median price of buying a home last year rose by seven per cent. Nationally, the figure stood at €387,000, rising to a staggering €500,000 in Dublin.
“Prices are now 25 per cent above their highest level during the Celtic Tiger era, and 178 per cent more than their low point in 2013 after the financial crash.
“How on earth are essential workers such as gardaí, nurses, retail staff or teachers supposed to buy a home at these extortionate prices? And what does the future hold for our highly educated young people, trapped at home in their childhood bedrooms unable to start independent lives?
“This government continues to rely on big developers and investment funds to deliver homes, which today’s figures show have become completely unaffordable for those living in the real world.
“Housing must be seen as a human right – not just an asset to generate profits for the wealthy. Until there is a major sea change in government policy, people will continue to be locked out of homeownership or forced into homelessness.
“There are obvious solutions staring the government in the face – such as the Social Democrats’ proposal for a State building company to deliver social and affordable homes, and our call for a savings scheme to fund public homebuilding.
“Yet, inexplicably, the government refuses to listen to constructive ideas and continues to pursue failed housing policies of the past.”
February 18, 2026