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Instead of kowtowing to developers and investment funds, the government needs a radical reset of housing policy The Housing Minister is continuing to cook the books when it comes to this government’s record on the delivery of affordable homes, according to Social Democrats housing spokesperson Rory Hearne. “The Housing Minister is continuing to try to […]

This is a scheme which would leverage some of the €163 billion which is sitting in Irish deposit accounts to fund the delivery of thousands of affordable homes. Deputy Hearne said: “This government has a singular focus – design housing policy that will benefit developers and investment funds. “In fact, the only measures taken by […]

What we have is a back-to-the-future housing minister, repeating the mistakes of the past, who is doomed to fail The Housing Minister’s big idea to increase housing supply is to dust off housing policies implemented by his predecessors that have demonstrably failed, according to Social Democrats housing spokesperson Rory Hearne. “Today the Minister has announced […]

Raising student contribution fees by €1,000 per year amidst a cost of living crisis will make a college education more inaccessible for some students and families, according to Social Democrats further and higher education spokesperson Jen Cummins. Deputy Cummins said: “This proposal comes as students and families across the country are already grappling with unprecedented […]

Today’s record homeless numbers are a direct result of failed Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael policies, according to Social Democrats housing spokesperson Rory Hearne. Deputy Hearne made his comments as a new record high for homelessness was confirmed this afternoon: “Today’s figures show there were 15,747 people living in homeless emergency accommodation at the end […]

Share prices and returns for the country’s biggest institutional landlord are expected to surge in the wake of the government’s rent reforms, according to Social Democrats housing spokesperson Rory Hearne. Deputy Hearne said: “Analysts have today confirmed that rent increases are expected to double, and returns surge, at the country’s biggest landlord, Ires Reit, thanks […]

Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael’s hyperfixation on satisfying investor funds has taken Ireland’s housing market to lows once unimaginable, according to Social Democrats housing spokesperson Rory Hearne. Speaking on the release of the Daft.ie Q2 2025 Residential Property Price report, which shows that house price inflation is at a 10-year high, Deputy Hearne said: “House […]

A combination of inaction and a nonsensical approach to housing provision has led to the Central Bank’s downgrading of an already horrible delivery estimate, according to Social Democrats housing spokesperson Rory Hearne. Deputy Hearne said: “This morning, the Minister for Housing said that, in the wake of recent government policies, ‘rents may go up… I […]

The government must accept its housing plan is a disaster and adopt a radically different approach, according to Social Democrats housing spokesperson Rory Hearne, who was speaking ahead of this evening’s Raise the Roof protest. Deputy Hearne said: “This government claims that housing is their highest priority, but where is the evidence of that? “House […]

The government’s shambolic announcement of rent reforms has created mass confusion and will leave tenants open to exploitation, according to Social Democrats TD Rory Hearne. Deputy Hearne, who is the party’s housing spokesperson, said: “Rather than provide certainty for renters, the government’s pathetic attempt at rent reform has turned into a complete omnishambles that will […]