Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 9 October 2025
236. Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his views on the use of online bidding platforms and countdown clocks in house sales; his views on whether they are a positive innovation in the housing market; if he will seek to ban or regulate their use; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54528/25]
View answerMatters in relation to the regulation and conduct of the property services sector in Ireland are the responsibility of the Property Services Regulatory Authority (PRSA). The PSRA was established on 3 April 2012 pursuant to the Property Services (Regulation) Act 2011.
The PSRA, has a number of key functions including:
- the administration of a system of investigation and adjudication of complaints against Property Services Providers; and
- promotion of increased consumer protection and public awareness in the provision of property services.
Under the Programme for Government my Department took over responsibility for the PSRA from the Department of Justice, Migration and Home Affairs with effect from 1 August 2025.
House auction bidding is regulated primarily through the PRSA which licenses and oversees auctioneers and agents, and by the bidding process rules followed by licensed firms, including requirements for proof of funds, bid recording, and transparent handling of offers.
As part of a broader package of measures to assist home buyers the Programme for Government committed to establishing an expert group to make the home bidding process clearer and more transparent, drawing on international best practices. Online bidding platforms are a relatively new phenomenon in the housing market and are likely to be considered in this context.
