News

The latest Rent Index report from the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) is further evidence that rents in Ireland are out of control, according to Social Democrats TD Cian O’Callaghan. Deputy O’Callaghan, who is the party’s housing spokesperson, said: “Someone looking for a place to rent is now paying an average of €1,595 per month, rising […]

The Government’s failure to bring in overdue reform of ethics legislation is undermining public confidence in politics, according to Social Democrats TD Róisín Shortall. “In the 2020 Programme for Government, there was a commitment given to reform and consolidate the ethics in public office legislation. “However, 14 months after the Government published a review of […]

The Government is sending out mixed messages on whether it intends to increase the stamp duty rate on the bulk purchase of homes by investment firms, according to Social Democrats TD Cian O’Callaghan. Deputy O’Callaghan, who is the party’s housing spokesperson, said: “In 2021, the Government introduced a 10 per cent stamp duty rate in […]

The latest homelessness figures should not be treated as a cause for celebration by the Minister for Housing, according to Social Democrats TD Cian O’Callaghan. Deputy O’Callaghan, who is the party’s housing spokesperson, said: “There are now 13,866 people living in homeless emergency accommodation – the highest number in the history of the State. Tragically, […]

Figures published today by the Central Statistics Office expose the Government’s spin on housing for what it is, according to Social Democrats TD Cian O’Callaghan. Deputy O’Callaghan, who is the party’s spokesperson on housing, said: “According to the CSO, there were 5,841 new dwelling completions in the first quarter of this year – a fall […]

Simon Harris is following in the long tradition of this Government’s Taoisigh making promises that they cannot deliver, according to Social Democrats TD Cian O’Callaghan. Deputy O’Callaghan, who is the party’s housing spokesperson, said: “The new Taoiseach made big and bold promises of 50,000 homes a year during the recent Fine Gael Ard Fheis – […]

Social Democrats TD Cian O’Callaghan has welcomed the verdicts delivered today by the jury in the inquests into the 1981 Stardust tragedy. Deputy O’Callaghan, who is a TD for Dublin Bay North, said: “Today’s unlawful killing verdict in the case of each of the 48 victims is a watershed moment in the Stardust families’ decades-long search […]

Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil are turning Ireland into a nation of renters, according to Social Democrats TD Cian O’Callaghan. Deputy O’Callaghan, who is the party’s housing spokesperson, said: “The vast majority of new apartments are only available to rent at exorbitant prices. “While renting suits some, most people would rather live in a place […]

Skyrocketing house prices are locking a generation out of home ownership, according to Social Democrats TD Cian O’Callaghan. Deputy O’Callaghan, who is the party’s housing spokesperson, said: “The cost of buying a home has increased by a further 6.1 per cent in the past 12 months, according to the latest Residential Property Price Index from […]

The latest Locked Out of the Market report from the Simon Community is showing the dire consequences of the Government’s overreliance on the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) system, according to Social Democrats TD Cian O’Callaghan. Deputy O’Callaghan, who is the party’s spokesperson on housing, said: “Only 38 homes in the entire country are now falling […]