News

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 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 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 […]

Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore today attended an event to announce details of the Affordable Ireland Campaign’s cost-of-living demonstration march, which will take place in Dublin city centre on February 28. The campaign is backed by the Social Democrats and other Opposition parties, and includes various trade unions, students’ organisations, the Irish Traveller Movement and […]

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 – […]

Yesterday’s Irish Times/Ipsos B&A poll shows that there is a clamour for genuine change in housing policy among voters, according to Social Democrats housing spokesperson Rory Hearne. Deputy Hearne said: “When almost two thirds of all voters believe that the government’s tenure is only causing the housing crisis to spiral further out of control, you […]

The Social Democrats today launched a new proposal for the creation of a State Construction Company that would deliver homes at the scale required to solve Ireland’s deepening housing crisis. Under the party’s proposal, a State Construction Company would operate alongside existing market delivery of housing, playing a significant role in providing more affordable and […]

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 […]