Scores of prospective purchasers of 80 new homes being sold under an affordable housing initiative in Citywest, Co Dublin began queuing to secure a property from as early as Good Friday, it emerged yesterday.
This followed a decision to allocate the properties on "a first-come first-served" basis from this Saturday.
Eventually, lengthy queues throughout yesterday prompted the selling agent, Douglas Newman Good, to begin allocating the properties at the Belfry, in Citywest, Dublin yesterday evening instead.
However, the system has led to concerns that those with families, who might find it more difficult to queue overnight, may have lost out in their efforts to secure one of just 26 three-bed properties available.
A total of 193 individuals who applied for a property under the scheme - the first in Ireland - were informed by South Dublin County Council in the past week that they had been approved for a unit in one of three developments. Prices range from €142,000 to €172,000, with a 3 per cent deposit required.
The three developments are at the Belfry in Citywest (80), Rosse Court in Lucan (105), and Rathgael (8) in Clondalkin.
All the properties are being built in exchange for the transfer of valuable State land at Harcourt Terrace to Durkan New Homes. Unusually, the allocation of the properties under the scheme is being administered by the developer rather than the council directly.
However, individuals hoping to secure a property in the Belfry - where 26 three-bed homes and 54 two-bed apartments are available - faced an anxious wait yesterday, as long queues gathered outside the development's showhouse.
Mother-of-one Lynette O'Toole said she had been there since Tuesday afternoon. She had been forced to take time off work to join the queue, she said.
Carol Strong of selling agent Douglas Newman Good said it decided yesterday to begin allocating the properties to those queuing outside the development. This meant they could go home once they handed over their deposit.
However, local Labour Party councillor Caitríona Jones yesterday questioned the fairness of the system, which is expected to be introduced elsewhere.
Individuals with children, who are already of limited means, could be less likely to secure one of the smaller number of three-bed properties, she added.