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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 […]

The government must clarify if planned restrictions on short-term lets will apply to towns located in Rent Pressure Zones (RPZs) where populations are under the 10,000 threshold provided for in the new regulations, according to Social Democrats TD Rory Hearne. Deputy Hearne, who is the party’s spokesperson on housing, said: “Under the Short-Term Letting and […]

The sky-high cost of new homes on the former Irish Glass Bottle site in Poolbeg, Dublin 4, will make it difficult, if not impossible, for agreement to be reached on the provision of affordable homes in the scheme, according to Social Democrats TD Rory Hearne. Deputy Hearne, who is the party’s housing spokesperson, said: “It […]

The overwhelming demand for 30 affordable homes in a south Dublin housing scheme highlights the desperation felt by house-hunters, according to Social Democrats TD Rory Hearne. Deputy Hearne, who is the party’s housing spokesperson, said: “The pent-up demand for housing saw 640 applications received for just 30 affordable homes at Woodbrook in Shankill, a scheme […]

Social Democrats TD Rory Hearne has today written to Minister James Browne to express concern over the proposed appointment of Brendan McDonagh as the government’s new housing tsar. Deputy Hearne, who is the party’s housing spokesperson, said: “In my letter, I reminded the Minister that Mr McDonagh’s main role in NAMA was overseeing the fire […]

The removal of rent caps and cuts to the tenant-in-situ scheme will contribute to rising levels of homelessness, according to Social Democrats TD Rory Hearne. Deputy Hearne, who is the party’s housing spokesperson, made his comments as a new record high for homelessness was confirmed this afternoon. “Today’s figures show there were 15,418 people living in […]