Dublin’s housing crisis is impacting ‘two out of three’ businesses
Majority of firms have lost employees due to lack of affordable accommodation
Housing costs are impacting the ability of Dublin businesses to recruit and retain staff. Pic: Getty
Two out of every three businesses in Dublin say the housing crisis has impacted their ability to recruit staff, a new survey has found.
According to the latest survey from Dublin Chamber, the lack of affordable accommodation is taking a toll on businesses.
The survey found that 62pc of businesses in the city have lost employees or future employees due to the housing crisis, with staff either leaving or declining job offers due to the lack of affordable accommodation.
“Despite the extensive and substantial government supports to promote the construction of affordable housing, the volume of construction is insufficient to meet demand,” said Aebhric McGibney, Director of Public and International Affairs with Dublin Chamber.
He urged the government to revisit the effective ban on building in certain parts of the Greater Dublin Area, which is based on “outdated population figures”.
Local authorities are being encouraged to provide more residential zoned land in towns that are well served by public transport.
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A survey from Dublin Chamber showed that 30pc of firms in Dublin have temporarily subsidised or provided accommodation for employees to allow them to take a job.
Flexible and remote working also proved to be the most effective measure to attract and retain staff, followed by competitive salaries.
“Last year saw rents in existing tenancies rise by 4.5pc in Dublin, 5.4pc in Waterford city, 5pc in Cork, 6.1pc in Galway city and 5.5pc in Limerick city,” Social Democrats TD Cian O’Callaghan said.
“With rents in Irish cities now rising at multiples of the 2pc Rent Pressure Zone (RPZ) cap, it’s clear this Government is presiding over a dysfunctional rent control system.
“How is anybody supposed to save for a place of their own when they have to sacrifice so much of their income simply to keep a roof over their head,” he added.
He urged the Government to put in place a rent register with immediate effect to bring “transparency to the sector”.
