Fianna Fáil has denied that the housing crisis will last until 2040. 

Housing Minister James Browne was speaking following the publication of the Government’s Future Forty: A Fiscal and Economic Outlook to 2065, which painted a grim picture for those struggling with high rents and surging property values. 

The report estimated that on current demographic trends, the nation’s “pent-up demand” for housing would not be fully dealt with until 2040. 

It also assumes that some 60,000 new homes will be built every year - double the number delivered in 2024. 

On Newstalk Breakfast, Minister Browne said the report was too pessimistic. 

“It was based on a no change policy,” he said. 

“I’m absolutely not going to accept any situation where we don’t make changes and since I’ve become Minister for Housing, everything I’ve been doing has been about making those necessary changes to bring about an acceleration of housing delivery. 

“So people can have the homes that they so desperately need in their local communities, whether that’s the rural or urban, social, affordable or private houses. 

“So, I believe we can bring about an end to this housing crisis; I wouldn’t have taken on the job if I didn’t believe I could do that. 

“But it is going to take a monumental effort and it’s going to take huge decisions.” 

James Browne at a press conference in Government Buildings following Budget 2026. Picture by: Leah Farrell/ RollingNews.ie.

Minister Browne added that increasing supply will involve “risks” and admitted that the Government has been “too cautious” in its approach to the crisis. 

“I think we have to be able to encourage people - civil servants, local authorities - to take a little bit more risk,” he said. 

“Keeping that really strong framework in place of safety, security, of the environment, for example. 

“But to encourage people to say, ‘Look, perfection here really is the enemy of the good.’ 

“We have to drive on and deliver the homes that people need - and we’ve done it in the past. So, we know we can do it.” 

James Browne speaking to the media. Picture by: Leah Farrell/RollingNews.ie

Minister Browne continued that there are still “an awful lot of obstacles” in the way of the construction and he vowed to remove them. 

“Some people might call it ‘kicking arse’, I think it’s about showing leadership,” he said. 

“It’s about giving people confidence to make decisions and it’s also about me not being able to make decisions either.

“In most other countries when it comes to building homes, you have almost a presumption that you’re allowed to build homes. 

“If someone wants to stop it they have to put up a very good reason - whereas here in Ireland, there are so many gateways before you get a shovel into the ground.” 

In Budget 2026, the Government allocated the Department of Housing €9 billion to spend on housing capital investment - close to €3 billion of which will be spent on social housing. 

Minister Browne said this would “really accelerate housing delivery” and that he was “confident” more homes would be built this year than in 2024. 

Main image: Minister for Housing James Browne. Picture by: Leah Farrell/RollingNews.ie.