News

The government must legislate against the out-of-control number of AirBnBs and vacant homes across Ireland, according to Social Democrats housing spokesperson Rory Hearne. Deputy Hearne said: “Today, we’ve heard two interconnected stories which highlight the utter disaster of the housing crisis and the failure of government housing policy. “Threshold has shown that more than 8,600 […]

Figures released today by housing charity Threshold provide further proof that the government was wrong to proceed with the introduction of its disastrous new rent regulations this week, according to Social Democrats TD Rory Hearne. Deputy Hearne, who is the party’s housing spokesperson, said: “Threshold’s final quarter figures for 2025 show a 21 per cent […]

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 […]

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 […]

The latest ‘Locked Out of the Market’ report published by the Simon Communities of Ireland shows that current policy is failing our communities, according to Social Democrats candidate for Galway West Míde Nic Fhionnlaoich Míde said: “It is terrifying that, as of the end of December, no properties were available under Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) thresholds […]

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 […]

The government’s dilution of short-term rental restrictions is a slap in the face for renters, according to Social Democrats housing spokesperson Rory Hearne. Deputy Hearne said: “The changes to regulations, that were agreed by coalition leaders last night on short-term lets, will now restrict new rules to towns with populations of more than 20,000 – […]

Today’s homeless numbers are a result of a government which has deprioritised housing to a degree which is causing severe harm to thousands of people, according to Social Democrats housing spokesperson Rory Hearne. Deputy Hearne said: “Today’s figures show there were 16,734 people living in homeless emergency accommodation at the end of December. Shockingly, over […]