Today on the 1 O’clock News on RTE Radio 1 we were asked to consider things which the budget could do to help achieve some stability in the housing market.

We echoed the Construction Industry Federation for a call to end ‘Part V’ contributions as this is a 20% tax levied only on new homes which is meant to provide for social housing. This is a mistake, social housing is a society wide responsibility and should not be put only on the shoulders of new home buyers.

Other ideas included ending development levies and dropping the VAT rate while also being mindful of the rented sector.