Sir, – The Government policy of buying new homes, rather than building them, does more than inflate prices, as pointed out by Lorcan Sirr (Opinion, May 15).
“Turnkey” homes and other property purchases fall outside EU public procurement rules. So, when the state “buys” homes, it is not subject to regulated standards of transparency and fair competition. The exchequer is not being well served, and neither is the construction sector.
Transparency rules ensure oversight and prevent corruption. Competition rules ensure a level playing pitch, better prices and more opportunities for new entrants.
Fundamentally, housing targets will only be met through market expansion and capacity-building in the construction sector. A return to contracting builders to build is a means to give certainty to both the Government delivery targets and the construction industry, regardless of economic cycles. These opportunities are being missed. – Yours etc,
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ORLA HEGARTY
Assistant professor,
School of Architecture, Planning and Environmental Policy
University College Dublin
