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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 […]

Today’s confirmation of house completion figures for 2025 by the Central Statistics Office (CSO) highlights the real reason why the government abandoned setting annual targets, according to Social Democrats TD Rory Hearne. Deputy Hearne, who is the party’s housing spokesperson, said: “With just 36,284 homes delivered last year – which falls significantly short of what’s […]

The government must not introduce disastrous rental measures which will allow landlords to increase rents between tenancies, according to Social Democrats housing spokesperson Rory Hearne. Deputy Hearne said: “There’s huge concern and fear among renters that the rental measures discussed at Cabinet today will lead to higher rents – every expert at the Oireachtas Housing […]

Social Democrats housing spokesperson Rory Hearne has described the increase in the number of older adults falling into homelessness as a ticking timebomb for the State. Deputy Hearne was responding to today’s publication of a report by the Simon Communities of Ireland examining older people’s experiences of homelessness. He said: “This report highlights significant gaps […]

We will never solve the housing crisis as long as the government keeps rolling out the red carpet for international investor funds, according to Social Democrats TD Rory Hearne. Deputy Hearne, who is the party’s housing spokesperson, made his comments after it was confirmed that Ireland is to take part in a major international property […]

A Social Democrats’ motion calling on Dublin City Council to recognise housing as a fundamental human right was carried last night. The motion, tabled by Cllr Lesley Byrne, outlined a number of actions the council must take to enshrine this principle in all its housing policies and actions. Speaking on the matter, Social Democrats housing […]

A Social Democrats’ motion calling on Dublin City Council to recognise housing as a fundamental human right will be debated by councillors on Monday. The motion, tabled by Cllr Lesley Byrne, outlines a number of actions the council must take to enshrine this principle in all its housing policies and actions. It sets out the […]

The overwhelming demand for so-called ‘affordable’ apartments and houses at the former O’Devaney Gardens flats complex in Dublin highlights the desperation of a generation locked out of home ownership, according to Social Democrats TD Rory Hearne. Deputy Hearne, who is the party’s housing spokesperson, said: “Over 1,000 people have applied to buy 99 affordable homes […]

The publication of the latest homelessness figures today represents the worst possible start to 2026 for those at the sharp edge of the housing crisis, according to Social Democrats TD Rory Hearne. Deputy Hearne, who is the party’s spokesperson on housing, said: “Another grim record has been set for homelessness under Fianna Fáil/Fine Gael. Today […]

The Minister for Housing’s Christmas gift to all of those in housing precarity is to once again mislead the public on housing delivery figures, according to Social Democrats housing spokesperson Rory Hearne. Deputy Hearne said: “During the first nine months of 2025, 3,134 new-build social homes were provided by the State – this figure is […]