the government brought in a number of tax incentives to get people to invest in certain areas of the country.
Eg of incentives = rural renewal , town renewal, student accomodation
etc.
the main one I know of is Section 23 relief. Basically. The builder builds the property in the designated area and then sells it on. The purchaser can claim the portion of build cost against its rental income. Loads of rules and regs to be followed.
Prop usually is more expensive than what its worth because they are a popular developmetn and the builder wants a cut of the relief for himself.
put a search in the revenue website