News

New rules exempting modular homes in back gardens from planning permission, which came into effect today, risk leaving thousands of vulnerable renters open to exploitation and insecure tenancy arrangements, according to Social Democrats housing spokesperson Rory Hearne. Deputy Hearne said: “These new regulations, which were pushed through the Oireachtas by the Government before summer recess, […]

The Government’s failure to tackle runaway house prices is putting homeownership increasingly out of reach for our locked-out generation, according to Social Democrats TD Rory Hearne. Deputy Hearne, who is the party’s housing spokesperson, said: “Figures released today by the Central Statistics Office (CSO) show that house prices are now 25% above their highest level […]

Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael are continuing to put the interests of vulture funds ahead of the needs our younger generation desperately trying to find a home of their own, according to Social Democrats housing spokesperson Rory Hearne. Deputy Hearne made his comments after it emerged that German investor MEAG has bought up 140 apartments […]

It is outrageous that the Minister for Housing is attempting to remove the safety net of emergency accommodation for those most at risk of sleeping rough, according to Social Democrats housing spokesperson Rory Hearne. Deputy Hearne said: “Government amendments to the Housing and Residential Tenancies (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2026, which will overhaul Ireland’s homelessness legislation, […]

The Minister for Housing must implement emergency measures to prevent the housing disaster from robbing any more young people of their futures here, according to Social Democrats housing spokesperson Rory Hearne. Deputy Hearne said: “The social contract has been broken for those who dream of owning a home. Hundreds of thousands of lives have been […]

The Government is refusing to take emergency measures to address the homelessness crisis, according to Social Democrats housing spokesperson Rory Hearne. Deputy Hearne said: “Today’s figures show there were 17,447 people living in homeless emergency accommodation at the end of May. Shockingly, 5,583 of them are children. “There’s been a 20% increase in the number […]

The Social Democrats are urging councillors on South Dublin County Council to vote against increases to social housing rents this week. The issue of rent increases has been pushed to a vote at a specially convened meeting this Thursday (June 25) by the Social Democrats, Sinn Féin and People Before Profit. The parties have used […]

Minister for Housing James Browne has no grasp on the gravity of the housing and homelessness crisis plaguing Ireland, according to Social Democrats housing spokesperson Rory Hearne. Deputy Hearne said: “The Minister for Housing yesterday admitted that he has no estimated timelines for homelessness in Ireland to plateau, never mind fall. At the end of […]

The Minister for Justice must provide clarity and reassurance to communities that they will not lose vital garda resources when Ireland takes on the EU Presidency, according to Social Democrats TD Rory Hearne. Deputy Hearne, who represents Dublin North-West, said: “The reports that Ballymun garda station is due to lose at least 10 gardaí to […]

The Government must act on the recommendations of a cross-party report on homelessness and introduce an emergency no-fault eviction ban, according to Social Democrats housing spokesperson Rory Hearne. Deputy Hearne said: “Today’s report from the Joint Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage offers important solutions for how the State should respond to homelessness. “The […]