Record number of children spent Christmas in homeless accommodation

Figures released today by the Department of Housing show that 3,962 children spent Christmas living in homeless emergency accommodation. Commenting, Social Democrats housing spokesperson Cian O’Callaghan said: “This is 520 more than December 2022 and a shocking 49 per cent increase since this Government has taken office. “Growing up without a home can have devastating impacts on […]

Read more

Ryanair bulk-buying homes shows housing plan is in chaos

The revelation that Ryanair has bought up 25 homes in an estate in Swords, Co. Dublin, is another kick in the teeth for first-time buyers, according to Social Democrats housing spokesperson Cian O’Callaghan. “It is already hard enough for people looking to get a place of their own when rents are at the highest ever […]

Read more

More than 100,000 homes lie empty in midst of housing emergency

New figures showing there are over 100,000 empty homes around the country highlight the Government’s failure to bring vacant and derelict properties back into use, according to Social Democrats TD Cian O’Callaghan. Deputy O’Callaghan, who is the party’s housing spokesperson, said: “An analysis of data in the GeoDirectory report reveals there were over 81,000 vacant […]

Read more

Ineffective Government measures have failed to deter investors from bulk buying homes

Figures released by Revenue prove that measures introduced almost three years ago by the Government to deter the bulk purchasing of homes by investment funds are completely inadequate, according to Social Democrats TD Cian O’Callaghan. Deputy O’Callaghan, who is the party’s housing spokesperson, said: “Under new stamp duty measures introduced in 2021, investors purchasing more […]

Read more

Housing Minister incapable of meeting targets for delivery of affordable homes

The derisory delivery of affordable homes shows that the Minister for Housing is hopelessly out of his depth and incapable of meeting the Government’s own targets, according to Social Democrats TD Cian O’Callaghan. Deputy O’Callaghan, who is the party’s housing spokesperson, said: “The Quarter 3 Affordable Housing Report highlights exceptionally poor delivery and targets that […]

Read more

RTB report provides further evidence of rent cap breaches

Today’s report by the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) provides further evidence that rent caps are being widely breached, according to Social Democrats TD Cian O’Callaghan. Deputy O’Callaghan, who is the party’s housing spokesperson, said: “According to the Rental Sector Survey Report, median rent has increased nationally by €300 and is now €1,300 compared to the […]

Read more

Reinstatement of eviction ban would help stem rising tide of homelessness

The Government must immediately reinstate the no-fault eviction ban to stem the rising tide of homelessness, according to Social Democrats TD Cian O’Callaghan. Deputy O’Callaghan, who is the party’s housing spokesperson, said: “This year, at least 13,000 people – almost 4,000 of them children – will spend Christmas in emergency homeless accommodation. The latest shameful […]

Read more