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Social Democrats TD Cian O’Callaghan has said it is concerning that a report from the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) shows rents in existing tenancies rising well beyond the 2 per cent legal limit. Deputy O’Callaghan, who is the party’s housing spokesperson, said: “Rent Pressure Zone regulations are supposed to cap rent increases at 2 per […]

Homelessness figures today shattered another grim record while local authorities are failing to spend their social housing budgets, according to Social Democrats TD Cian O’Callaghan. Deputy O’Callaghan, who is the party’s housing spokesperson, said: “The latest figures show there are now 13,179 people living in homeless emergency accommodation – tragically, 3,991 of these are children. […]

The revelation that just 3,000 homes are being charged the Vacant Homes Tax shows that a significant amount of work is needed to ensure the measure is effective, according to Social Democrats TD Cian O’Callaghan. Deputy O’Callaghan, who is the party’s housing spokesperson, said: “Ireland’s housing crisis continues to have a devastating impact on people’s […]

New figures released by the Simon Communities of Ireland reveal the true scale of the rental crisis faced by those reliant on the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP), according to Social Democrats TD Cian O’Callaghan. Deputy O’Callaghan, who is the party’s spokesperson on housing, said: “In its ‘Locked Out of the Market’ report for September, the […]

Data published by the Central Statistics Office (CSO) provides further insights into the widening affordability gap faced by those seeking to buy a home of their own, according to Social Democrats TD Cian O’Callaghan. Deputy O’Callaghan, who is the party’s spokesperson on housing, said: “An analysis of the data, which was published by the CSO […]

Giving tax breaks to landlords is a wasteful measure that lacks any evidence base, according to Social Democrats TD Cian O’Callaghan. Deputy O’Callaghan, who is the party’s housing spokesperson, said: “Rents in Ireland are at record levels and continue to skyrocket. In the last year alone, rents have increased by over 10 per cent with […]

Housing, children and climate take centre stage Read the full Alternative Budget here Housing, children and climate action are the main focus of the Social Democrats’ Alternative Budget, ‘Unlocking the Future’, which is published today. The party’s key priorities for 2024 include: Deliver 10,000 affordable homes next year – a near doubling of the Government’s […]

There has been a 47 per cent rise in the number of children becoming homeless since this Government took office, according to Social Democrats TD Cian O’Callaghan. Deputy O’Callaghan, who is the party’s deputy leader and housing spokesperson, said: “The latest figures show there are now 12,691 people living in homeless emergency accommodation. Tragically, 3,895 […]

New figures revealing that the average price of a three-bed semi-detached house nationally now exceeds €300,000 shows that home ownership has become increasingly out of reach for prospective buyers, according to Social Democrats TD Cian O’Callaghan. Deputy O’Callaghan, the party’s deputy leader and housing spokesperson, said: “The Real Estate Alliance Average House Price Index paints […]

Practical steps required to help the tens of thousands of people affected by the housing crisis A Social Democrats’ motion to be debated in the Dáil this evening will call for 10,000 affordable purchase and affordable rental homes to be built every year. Cian O’Callaghan, the party’s deputy leader and housing spokesperson, said: “This Government […]