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The government is wrong to postpone the introduction of a short-term letting register, according to Social Democrats TD Rory Hearne. Deputy Hearne, the party’s Housing spokesperson, said: “The government is wrong to further delay crucial airbnb regulation which could see twelve thousand homes move from the short-term to the long-term rental market. “The housing crisis […]

The government must immediately provide funding guarantees to local authorities to prevent avoidable hold-ups to the tenant in-situ scheme, according to Social Democrats TD Rory Hearne. Deputy Hearne, who is the party’s housing spokesperson, said: “The success of this scheme, which allows local authorities to purchase properties where existing tenants are facing eviction, is completely […]

The government must immediately develop a family homelessness strategy and reintroduce a no-fault eviction ban, according to Social Democrats TD Rory Hearne. Deputy Hearne, who is the party’s housing spokesperson, was commenting on the latest homelessness figures, which were published this afternoon. “The figures show there were 15,286 people living in homeless emergency accommodation at […]

The phenomenal interest in 46 apartments being offered at discounted rents to key workers in Dublin’s south city highlights the pent-up demand for genuinely affordable housing, according to Social Democrats TD Rory Hearne. Deputy Hearne, who is the party’s housing spokesperson, said: “Since the scheme at Google’s Boland Mills Quarter was launched by Clúid Housing […]

The latest Daft.ie report confirms that rents in Ireland are more unaffordable and unsustainable than ever, according to Social Democrats TD Rory Hearne. Deputy Hearne, who is the party’s housing spokesperson, said: “Today’s figures show that rents are now beyond any reasonable level. Last year, advertised rents rose by an average of 5.7 per cent, […]

Will the government allow people be charged exorbitant rents to live in glorified sheds? This government’s answer to the housing crisis is to move generation stuck at home from their parents’ box room to a shed in the back garden, according to Social Democrats Housing spokesperson Rory Hearne. “It is reported today that the government […]

The Social Democrats will bring a motion before the Dáil on Wednesday (February 19) calling on the Government to introduce a range of measures to address the housing and rental crises. The motion proposes the closure of loopholes that allow investment funds to aggressively avoid tax; a 100 per cent stamp duty rate on the […]

It is deeply troubling that the Taoiseach appears to be blissfully unaware of EU funding streams that could be accessed by the State to build affordable homes, according to Social Democrats acting leader Cian O’Callaghan. “The Government’s latest plan for housing is nothing more than recycled Celtic Tiger-era policy – namely, one that offers tax […]

Calls by the Taoiseach for more incentives for private investment in the rental sector show this Government is prepared to double down on years of failed housing policy, according to Social Democrats TD Rory Hearne. Deputy Hearne, who is the party’s housing spokesperson, said: “Fianna Fáil claims it is the party of home ownership and […]

It is utterly shameful that people feel the need to sleep in their cars overnight to have any chance of buying a new home, according to Social Democrats TD Aidan Farrelly. Deputy Farrelly, who represents Kildare North, said: “More than a dozen first-time buyers slept in their cars last night in the hope of securing […]