Mayo estate agent describes lack of sufficient housing supply as 'defining challenge of our time'

The president of the Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland has described the lack of a sufficient supply of affordable housing as the defining challenge of our time.

In his address to over 1,200 attendees at the SCSI’s annual dinner, the biggest social gathering of property and construction professionals of the year, Westport estate agent Gerard O’Toole said greater coordination was needed amongst stakeholders if the root of the supply problem is to be overcome.

He elaborated: “We need much greater coordination across Government, state agencies, and industry.

"Too often, progress is hindered not by lack of ambition, but by fragmentation; not by lack of innovation, but by delay and siloed working.

"While new CSO data on completions shows a welcome if modest rise in housing completions and signs that some government interventions are gaining traction, the message is unmistakable: affordability driven by lack of supply remains the defining challenge of our time.

"Addressing this is not just a housing priority – it is essential to economic growth and social fairness.”

In his speech he highlighted the positive contribution the SCSI is making through its research and apprenticeship programmes.

“The strength of our organisation lies in the quality of its research.

"Our data is informing national conversations on apartment viability, renovation costs, conveyancing, rental legislation, agricultural land trends, and much more.

"This work is trusted, because it’s in the public interest and is grounded in surveyors’s real-life experience. Talent shortages are placing real pressure on delivery.

"Ireland cannot meet its housing and infrastructure needs without more chartered surveyors. That is why we are expanding the Surveying Apprenticeship pathway, opening accessible routes into the profession and building the workforce the country needs.”

Mr O’Toole was speaking after a new survey of SCSI estate agents forecast that national property prices will increase by an average of 4% this year.

The SCSI’s Annual Residential Review and Outlook report – now in its 43rd year – found that 84% of agents now believe current property prices are either ‘expensive’ or ‘very expensive’.

However, a similar number of the almost 200 agents who took part in the survey, believe prices are either rising and will level off soon or are at their highest level and should start to decline.

Mr O’Toole added: “Constrained supply is driving sustained house price growth and mounting affordability pressures for home buyers and renters.

"Those trends look set to continue through 2026 and beyond. Seventy-two per-cent of agents reported low stock levels, and while this is down slightly on last year, the lack of supply is clearly one of the main factors influencing expectations around house price movements.

"Indeed, when asked what they thought was the primary driver of price increases, almost six out of ten respondents (58%) said it was the level of homes being built.”

To see the full report, go to www.scsi.ie