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At an international housing event today, Social Democrats TD Rory Hearne repeated his call on the government to retain rent caps, Deputy Hearne made his comments at the International Union of Tenants’ forum in the Conference Centre, Dublin, which will see more than 2,000 people taking part in the International Social Housing Festival. He said: […]

Today’s record numbers are a direct result of failed government 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 15,580 people living in homeless emergency accommodation at the end of April. Shockingly, 4,775 of […]

Today’s proposal to allow developers to extend planning permission beyond five years risks rewarding land speculation, according to Social Democrats housing spokesperson Rory Hearne. Deputy Hearne said: “In the dying days of the last government, the Planning and Development Act was signed into law – the legislation is more than 900 pages long. “We were […]

Stark Central Statistics Office figures which show house prices have increased by €200,000 in just ten years are the product of disastrous policy decisions, according to Social Democrats housing spokesperson Rory Hearne. Deputy Hearne said: “How can anyone be expected to have a future living in this country when their hopes of owning a home […]

The latest Daft.ie report highlights the sheer folly of the government’s intention to make changes to Rent Pressure Zones (RPZs), according to Social Democrats TD Rory Hearne. Deputy Hearne, who is the party’s housing spokesperson, said: “Today’s Daft report paints the bleakest picture yet of the cost of renting a home in Ireland. The figures […]

Housing Minister James Browne’s admission that the government is considering a State-led saving scheme to help finance the delivery of homes – an initiative previously proposed by the Social Democrats – has been welcomed by Rory Hearne TD. Deputy Hearne, who is the party’s housing spokesperson, said: “I have today written to the Taoiseach, Tánaiste […]

The latest house commencement data released by the Central Statistics Office (CSO) paints a picture of failed government policy in freefall, according to Social Democrats TD Rory Hearne. Deputy Hearne, who is the party’s spokesperson on housing, said: “The figures released by the CSO today do not bode well for expected housing delivery in the […]

The latest Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) figures highlight the urgent need to strengthen protections for renters, according to Social Democrats TD Rory Hearne. Deputy Hearne, who is the party’s housing spokesperson, said: “Confirmation that rents are up 5.5 per cent nationally for new tenancies will come as little surprise to those at the coalface of […]

Social Democrats TD Rory Hearne has welcomed a U-turn by Housing Minister James Browne following his initial refusal to meet Dublin City Council to discuss the tenant-in-situ scheme – but has now called on him to extend this engagement to all local authorities. Deputy Hearne, who is the party’s housing spokesperson, said: “It is regrettable […]

Social Democrats TD Rory Hearne has criticised Housing Minister James Browne’s failure to meet with Dublin City Council to discuss the tenant-in-situ scheme. Deputy Hearne, who is the party’s housing spokesperson, said: “Dublin’s Lord Mayor has written to the Minister three times to request a meeting to discuss the tenant-in-situ scheme. The only engagement from […]