Fingal Council has stood by its decision not to cut the price of affordable housing in the area, 400 of which were sold last year.

The authority currently offers homes priced between €150,000 and €195,000, aimed at giving first time buyers a foothold on to the property market.

However, the council has said the one bed apartments and three bed terraced houses are "competitively priced", despite Dublin City Council's decision to slash the cost of its current stock.

Fingal officials have insisted the properties, which it sells, remain below the value of similar homes on the private market.

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Affordable housing schemes allow buyers to purchase a home through the local authority at a more preferential rate, a council spokesman said.

An affordable home is usually sold at cost price rather than market value.

Last year, Fingal Council sold around 400 houses, almost half of the 1,200 purchased through the affordable scheme since 2001.

Apartments, duplexes and houses are available for sale in the Holywell and Ridgewood estates in Swords, Hamilton and Dun Saithne in Balbriggan, and Beverton in Donabate.

There are also developments in Mayeston in St Margaret's Road and in Mulhuddart, Dublin 15.

A housing department spokesman said: "The affordable housing scheme has been a tremendous success with over 700 applicants purchasing homes in the last two years alone,

"The scheme continues to offer excellent value for money and is open to a much wider part of the community as a result of the income limit increase from €40,000 to €60,000 last year."

The spokesperson said there were still a number of homes available for sale.

"Those who haven't already applied should fill in an application form and send it in to the council's housing department as soon as possible," he added.

(PR/JM)