The Pat Kenny Show Our housing crisis is likely to persist for at least another 15 years
Nov 5, 2025
Lorcan Sirr, a senior lecturer in housing at TU Dublin, and Karl Deeter from Irish Mortgage Brokers share their insights on Ireland's long-standing housing crisis. They discuss how the Department of Finance estimates the crisis could last another 15 years, driven by insufficient supply and affordability issues. Lorcan challenges the effectiveness of current policies, while Karl advocates for rapid housing supply increases and innovative construction methods. Both emphasize the need for a shift in investment strategies and planning reforms to address the systemic issues.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Longstanding Structural Housing Crisis
- Ireland has experienced a persistent housing crisis for decades and it likely won't disappear quickly.
- Supply alone won't fix affordability because many people cannot afford newly built homes.
Ideology Shaped Underinvestment
- Political ideology has shaped underinvestment in infrastructure and social housing over decades.
- Countries that invest more public revenue tend to deliver better public services and housing outcomes.
Adopt Faster Construction Methods
- Prioritise adoption of faster, modern building systems instead of ad-hoc garden sheds or tiny studios.
- Evaluate proven prefabrication and mortar-free systems to speed delivery and improve quality.