Of the 21,000 new homes built last year just 8,000 were offered for sale on the open market, according to the Construction Industry Federation.

The federation says that many people looking to buy their first home have continued to find themselves "locked out of the market", as the State acquired at least 4,400 new homes for social housing and investment funds bought 95% of the 3,644 apartments completed last year.

Ian Guider, markets editor of The Business Post, joined us for our daily business round-up to discuss this story and more, including:

• The Morrison Hotel in Dublin is up for sale and its owner could treble its money on it
• The Qatari government is upping its stake in the owner of Aer Lingus

Listen to the interview in full by pressing the play button on this page.