Clerical and administrative staff are among the groups hardest hit by the cost of housing, which has risen much faster than incomes, according to a new report from the union-backed Nevin Economic Research Institute (NERI).

Affordability in the housing market of the Republic of Ireland for different groups of workers, compares pay to the costs of buying and renting a house.

The report says the Irish housing market is “dysfunctional” and that significant sectors of the population find it difficult to afford accommodation, particularly around Dublin.

Clerical, sales and service staff is one of two groups of workers identified by the study as having particular difficulties. This is because they experienced significantly lower wage gains, compared to rent increases, between 2010 and 2018.

The NERI report also says that a housing affordability crisis is continuing unabated despite a rising level of new dwelling completions.

Fórsa has been campaigning for affordable housing and an end to homelessness. Along with other unions participating in the ICTU ‘raise the roof’ campaign, it has called for a major public house building scheme, and other measures to tackle the crisis.
 
Read the report HERE.