The Government is considering building housing on NAMA controlled land.

Health Minister Leo Varadkar says there is an option that the National Asset Management Agency could be asked to free up some of its land and resources to help ease the housing crisis.

There have been numerous calls for NAMA land to be made available to help ease the housing crisis.

Now Finance Minister Michael Noonan looks set to change the role of the NAMA to a housing development agency, as part of a package of measures to ease the crisis and kick start construction of new homes.

The Irish Independent reports that the agency be asked to release land for construction in high demand areas.

Minister Varadkar says the agency has much needed resources that could be used to tackle the housing shortage:

Meanwhile, it is unlikely the Government will offer incentives for first time buyers in the 2016 Budget.

Mr Noonan has urged the Central Bank to review the caps in place for those trying to buy their first home.

But the Irish Independent reports the Central Bank has no plans to carry out a special review and the Government is unlikely to offer incentives in the upcoming budget.