More than 800 homes prevented from bulk sale in last two years in South Dublin County Council area, says Lahart

Fianna Fáil TD John Lahart says he welcomes a progress update from his party colleague and Minister for Housing Darragh O’Brien, on the planning measures he introduced two years ago “to increase home ownership and restrict the practice of the bulk purchasing of homes.”

The update shows 856 homes in the South Dublin County Council area received planning permission with conditions restricting the bulk buying or multiple sales to a single purchaser in the two-year period between May 2021 and May 2023.

The Ministerial Planning Guidelines are part of a series of government measures designed to prohibit the bulk buying of houses and duplexes in order to increase housing stock for home ownership.

Other measures include a 10% stamp duty levy on the cumulative purchase of 10 or more residential houses in a 12-month period.

Commenting on the data, Deputy Lahart said:

“Fianna Fáil in Government is committed to supporting homeownership and to supporting first-time buyers.

“This data demonstrates that we have made the right interventions while continuing to point investment to where it is needed.

“As well as restricting bulk buying, we are also boosting supply through our plan, Housing for All, with recent data for new home commencements and completions at record levels.

“The dream of owning a home is becoming a reality for more and more people and we intend to keep this momentum going as we meet – and exceed – our annual targets.”