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Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns has paid tribute to social justice campaigner Sr Stanislaus Kennedy who passed away this morning. Deputy Cairns said: “For decades, Sr Stan was a tireless campaigner and advocate for some of the most marginalised people in our society, from the homeless to members of the migrant community. “Through her work […]

The seemingly never-ending torrent of increases in homeless numbers shows the government lost complete control of housing long ago, 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 16,614 people living in homeless emergency accommodation […]

Funding must be assigned to the Finglas LUAS extension so it can be fast tracked, according to Social Democrats TD Rory Hearne, who represents the constituency. Deputy Hearne, who represents Dublin North-West, said: “The granting of planning permission for the extension of LUAS to Finglas is very welcome, but we need to see delivery as […]

The chronic shortage of properties available within Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) limits will lead to a spiral of homelessness, Social Democrats housing spokesperson Rory Hearne has warned. Deputy Hearne said: “The latest ‘Locked Out of the Market’ report from the Simon Communities of Ireland makes for grim reading. It shows that, in September, there was […]

The coalition’s actions, or lack thereof, indicate that it’s out of ideas when it comes to tackling the housing crisis, according to Social Democrats housing spokesperson Rory Hearne. Deputy Hearne said: “The government’s revised housing plan was to be published in July – in June, the Taoiseach said it had been pushed out until September, […]

The government has splashed the cash to the tune of half a billion euro in order to provide tax cuts for multi-millionaire investor funds and developers, according to Social Democrats housing spokesperson Rory Hearne. Deputy Heane said: “Those in need of affordable homes – renters, generations stuck in their childhood bedrooms, and working families – […]

The Irish Government must do all it can to get detainees from the Sumud flotilla released from prison in Israel, according to Social Democrats TD Rory Hearne. Deputy Hearne, a TD for Dublin North West said: “One of my constituents Diarmuid Mac Dubhghlais was abducted illegally by Israel when he was aboard the global Sumud […]

The government must act on the recommendations of a new report which found that using more standardised housing designs and modern methods of construction could slash homebuilding costs by up to an eighth, according to Social Democrats TD Rory Hearne. Deputy Hearne, who is the party’s housing spokesperson, said: “The conclusions of this study, commissioned […]

The Developer Profit Transparency Bill 2025, if passed, would unpack the reasons why housing delivery is stunted in Ireland, according to Social Democrats housing spokesperson Rory Hearne. Deputy Hearne said: “The aim of the bill is to shed light on the profit levels of developers who benefit from government housing schemes and subsidies – it’s […]

Today’s record homeless numbers are another shameful milestone and an indictment of this government, 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 16,353 people living in homeless emergency accommodation at the end of August. […]