Solving Ireland’s Housing and Transport Crisis: How We Can Make Affordable, Accessible Living a Reality by the Early 2030s

Tue 15 Oct 2024 - Jed van de Poll - CEO of Metro Dublin

Housing affordability is no longer just a challenge; it's a crisis that affects nearly every sector of Irish society. For the average worker in Ireland, one of the most significant issues is not just finding a suitable place to live, but being able to afford it. Rent or mortgage payments now consume an alarmingly disproportionate share of individual or household incomes. And this issue doesn’t just affect those struggling to make ends meet. It’s driving potential investment away and making it difficult for essential workers, such as nurses and doctors, to serve in the very cities that need them most.

Dublin City

Ireland’s economic landscape is suffering. Foreign companies are starting to turn their backs on the idea of expanding into Ireland. Why? Because they recognise that finding suitable accommodation within a reasonable commuting distance is a significant challenge for their executives and staff. This is no longer an isolated issue for lower-income individuals but one that touches even high-income professionals.​

Housing is a critical component of Ireland’s ability to attract international business, innovation, and talent. By failing to address the issue, we’re stunting the growth and future prosperity of our country. Companies that could bring in jobs and resources are hesitant to invest, knowing that their employees may struggle to find accommodation of the right standard within a reasonable commute.

The housing crisis doesn’t just affect corporate Ireland—it has a direct impact on our healthcare system and other essential services. Qualified nurses, doctors, and other healthcare professionals are increasingly unwilling to work in Dublin, Cork, or other major cities simply because they cannot find affordable, suitable housing within a manageable commute. This situation is causing a shortage of critical workers right where they’re needed most, putting additional strain on our hospitals and clinics.

It’s not just about doctors and nurses; other public service workers such as teachers, emergency responders, and social workers face similar challenges. When the very people we rely on for our health, safety, and education are forced out of our cities due to a lack of affordable housing, the impacts are felt across every aspect of Irish society.

The answer to Ireland’s housing dilemma lies not only in creating more affordable housing but also in developing transformative transport networks that connect low-cost suburban areas to city centers. Dublin and Cork need integrated, efficient, and extensive transport systems that can place low-cost suburbs within a 45-minute commute of central employment hubs. These are not mere conveniences; they are necessities for a thriving, inclusive economy.

Affordable, reliable, and rapid transport systems would expand the boundaries of where people can live and work, making it feasible for them to settle in suburban areas without enduring grueling commutes. A modern, well-designed transport system would make suburban living an attractive, viable option for those who are priced out of the cities, easing the pressure on urban housing markets.

A National Priority, Not Just Talk

There has been plenty of discussion about Ireland’s housing and transport issues, but too little decisive action. We cannot wait for solutions that will take 10 or 15 years to materialise. We need to see significant progress by the early 2030s, not the distant future.

Addressing these challenges must become a top national priority, backed by meaningful financial and legislative commitment. Investment in housing and transport infrastructure should not be viewed as an optional endeavor, but rather as an essential element of our national economic strategy. We need affordable housing developments, enhanced transport infrastructure, and supportive policies that will encourage businesses and workers alike to settle in Ireland and thrive here.

How Do We Get There?

1. Immediate Action on Affordable Housing: The government needs to incentivise the development of affordable, high-density housing in suburban areas. Affordable housing initiatives should focus not just on quantity but on quality and sustainability.

2. Expansion of Public Transport Networks: Ireland must invest in rapid transit systems that place low-cost suburban areas within a 45-minute commute to city centers. High-speed rail links, more frequent and reliable bus services, and dedicated cycling infrastructure are essential.

​3. Streamlined Planning and Approval Processes: Bureaucratic red tape must be minimised to allow rapid construction of housing and transport projects. The approval processes for new developments and transport systems should be streamlined to ensure timely progress.

4. Private-Public Partnerships: Collaboration between the government, private sector, and local communities is essential. Public-private partnerships can help fund large-scale housing projects and advanced transport systems that would otherwise strain public resources.

5. Commitment to Sustainable Growth: Any development should prioritise sustainability, aiming to reduce Ireland’s carbon footprint while meeting housing and transport needs. We can’t afford to solve one problem at the expense of the environment.

Addressing Ireland’s housing and transport challenges is a complex task that requires ambitious goals and an unwavering commitment to action. However, if we act decisively now, we can transform our cities and suburbs by the early 2030s. Ireland can be a place where workers can live affordably, businesses can thrive, and essential workers can serve where they are most needed.

It’s time to stop talking and start building. Together, we can create a future where affordable housing and accessible transport are realities, not dreams. This must be our priority—not just for today’s workforce but for the future generations who will call Ireland home.