News

The issuing of eviction notices to 36 separate households in Wexford by just one landlord is indicative of the huge crisis in the rental sector as the government ploughs ahead with measures that will make the situation even worse, according to Social Democrats housing spokesperson Rory Hearne. Deputy Hearne said: “For months now, I have […]

The number of people experiencing homelessness has surpassed 17,000 for the first time in the State’s history, a 417% increase in those living in homelessness since 2014, according to Social Democrats housing spokesperson Rory Hearne. Deputy Hearne said: “Today’s figures show there were a record 17,112 people living in homeless emergency accommodation at the end […]

The government’s blind trust in the idea that the market will deliver adequate housing for Ireland has led to its failure to provide for those in need of a home, according to Social Democrats housing spokesperson Rory Hearne. Deputy Hearne said: “Today’s report by Property Industry Ireland shows that the government has bought into the […]

Institutional landlords and developers are celebrating the government’s upcoming changes to rental laws which throw renters under the bus to increase corporate profits, according to Social Democrats housing spokesperson Rory Hearne. Deputy Hearne said: “IRES Reit, the State’s largest landlord, has said the quiet part out loud: that the government’s new rental rules, which will […]

IRES Reit hoovering up a large apartment development in Kildare shows government policy continues to prioritise corporate landlords over those struggling to rent or desperate to buy a home, according to Social Democrats housing spokesperson Rory Hearne. Deputy Hearne said: “IRES Reit’s move to buy up 77 residential apartments in a development in Naas for […]

Minister for Housing James Browne must not proceed with flawed rental measures, due to come into force on March 1st, which would plunge Ireland’s housing crisis to new lows, according to Social Democrats housing spokesperson Rory Hearne. Deputy Hearne said: “Today’s report from Daft.ie shows market rents rose by 4.4% during 2025, 80% higher than […]

The latest property prices published by the Central Statistics Office (CSO) provide further damning evidence of failed housing policy by this and previous governments, according to Social Democrats TD Rory Hearne. Deputy Hearne, who is the party’s housing spokesperson, said: “Prospective buyers are seeing the dream of homeownership evaporate before their eyes because of this […]

The government should adopt a Social Democrats’ proposal for a State savings scheme that would help finance the delivery of social and affordable homes, according to the party’s housing spokesperson Rory Hearne. Deputy Hearne said: “On RTÉ’s ‘This Week’ programme yesterday, the Tánaiste revealed that the government is drawing up a strategy to help savers […]

The government must increase Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) rates on an emergency basis to avoid a tsunami of homelessness, according to Social Democrats TD Rory Hearne. Deputy Hearne, who is the party’s housing spokesperson, said: “The latest ‘Locked Out of the Market’ report from the Simon Communities of Ireland will come as a further blow […]

The government’s Residential Tenancies Bill will push thousands more people into homelessness and make renting increasingly unviable, according to Social Democrats TD Rory Hearne. Deputy Hearne, who is the party’s housing spokesperson, said: “The government’s intention to ram through this cruel and deeply flawed piece of legislation tonight represents a complete capitulation to large investor […]