Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael’s hyperfixation on satisfying investor funds has taken Ireland’s housing market to lows once unimaginable, according to Social Democrats housing spokesperson Rory Hearne.
Speaking on the release of the Daft.ie Q2 2025 Residential Property Price report, which shows that house price inflation is at a 10-year high, Deputy Hearne said:
“House price inflation has reached a new record since the Central Bank’s mortgage-lending rules were introduced in 2015 – how can this government, like previous ones, claim housing is their highest priority?
“It is policy that continues to push the housing market further into disarray, driving an entire generation of young people from our shores – the government has shown time and time again that its loyalties lie with the vultures, not with the people.
“House prices rose by up to 15.5% in the last 12 months – house prices, rents and homelessness are all at record highs, yet no tangible solutions have been tabled to tackle this crisis.
“On Thursday, commencement figures for the month of May were released, and, in a stark indictment of the government, showed that the first five months of this year were tainted by the lowest commencement rate during that period since 2015.
“Just 4,969 units were commenced, compared to 32,851 in the same period last year, an 85% fall.
“It’s no surprise, then, that the market has been starved of supply.
“I’m running out of words to describe the catastrophe Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael have allowed to fester – the government must commit to a system which prioritises renters and people who want to own their own home, not soulless investor funds.”
June 23rd, 2025