A semi-state body similar to Irish Water could be set up to deal with Ireland's housing crisis.

It would take powers away from local authorities, and be able to raise its own capital to fund construction across the country.

It's among a number of options being considered by the Government in response to spiralling house prices and a lack of supply.

Housing expert Lorcan Sirr from Dublin Institute of Technology thinks its a good idea.

"The idea would be that you could centralise the process and the finance - and when you do that, you control the whole process and keep your costs down.

"Simon Coveney in the Dáil confirmed that you can build a three-bed social house by the State for in and around 200,000.

"And at the moment in Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown, that council is being offered houses for 354,000.

"In many resects it's a no-brainer".