Government urged to scrap home loan scheme over fears it will drive up prices Central Bank joins the chorus of voices urging the minister to remove controversial scheme from its Affordable Housing Bill Housing minister Darragh O'Brien is under pressure from a wide range of organisations — from the Central Bank to the auctioneers' institute — as well as opposition parties, to scrap the shared equity loan scheme. Tue, 16 Mar, 2021 - 06:30 Elaine Loughlin, Deputy Political Editor The Government is under pressure to scrap its controversial housing loan scheme after the Central Bank warned it could push up house prices. Darragh O'Brien, the housing minister, has been urged to focus on other measures instead of the shared equity scheme, which he has been strongly pushing despite widespread concerns and criticism.