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A collapse in commencements in 2025 is hugely concerning and means the government has no hope of meeting its housing targets, according to Social Democrats housing spokesperson Rory Hearne. Deputy Hearne said: “A new report from Irish banks, which shows housing commencements declined by more than 75% in 2025, is deeply concerning. “In some areas, […]

It is highly inappropriate that the Minister for Housing is attending an international property conference in France this week aimed at enticing more vulture funds to Ireland, according to Social Democrats TD Rory Hearne. Deputy Hearne, who is the party’s housing spokesperson, said: “It is extremely disappointing that the Minister did not heed my call […]

The emergence of leaked video footage today makes a nonsense of claims by the Minister for Housing that eviction notices issued to tenants in 36 properties in Wexford last week were not related to the government’s new rent regulations, according to Social Democrats TD Rory Hearne. Deputy Hearne said: “In the leaked video, the landlord’s […]

The Minister for Housing’s planned attendance at a major international property event in France next week – aimed at wooing more investor funds to Ireland – has been branded an absolute disgrace by Social Democrats TD Rory Hearne. Deputy Hearne, who is the party’s housing spokesperson, said: “It has been reported today that property developers […]

The rising age profile of first-time buyers will have massive societal implications for Ireland, according to Social Democrats TD Rory Hearne. Deputy Hearne, who is the party’s housing spokesperson, said: “While we’ve known for some time that the age of first-time buyers has been steadily rising, Cairn Homes – the country’s largest homebuilders – has […]

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 […]

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 […]