UN expert warns government that foreign investors are making Irish housing unaffordable
Monday 17 August 2026
A United Nations housing expert has warned the Irish Government that foreign investors are driving up housing costs and reducing affordability.
A United Nations housing expert has warned the Irish Government that foreign investors are making housing unaffordable in Ireland.
According to a report by the Irish Independent, the warning highlights the ongoing impact of international investment on the Irish housing market.
This warning aligns with arguments from Irish housing expert Dr Rory Hearne, who has previously stated that the national housing system has been transformed into a wealth generator for investment funds. Dr Hearne similarly pointed to UN warnings regarding the impact of these investors on affordability.
The intervention follows previous criticisms from a UN rapporteur, who wrote to the Irish Government in 2019 to criticise private housing investment, land hoarding, and investor-driven price inflation in the state.