10 June 1999 Edition

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Housing report highlights crisis

New figures this week have shown Ireland to be the second-dearest country in Europe in which to buy a home.

Commenting on the figures published by a brokerage group, Sinn Féin EU candidate for Dublin Seán Crowe said: ``This report comes as no surprise to most people here in Ireland. Over the last number of years, a housing crisis has developed throughout the 26 Counties. We have seen spiralling prices in the private sector, such as those shown in this newest report, waiting lists for local authority housing increasing daily, soaring rents in private rented accommodation, and a massive increase in homelessness.

``With ever increasing numbers joining the already lengthy housing lists of the various local authorities, with 100,000 on waiting lists for public authority housing, young families are crying out for help. It is time action was taken on this crisis.

``Successive governments, linked as they are to many of the large property speculators in the city, have allowed this situation to develop. They seem unwilling or unable to realistically tackle Ireland's growing housing problem.''


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