{"id":15255,"date":"2026-02-04T13:52:32","date_gmt":"2026-02-04T13:52:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.socialdemocrats.ie\/?p=15255"},"modified":"2026-02-04T13:52:32","modified_gmt":"2026-02-04T13:52:32","slug":"social-democrats-launch-new-proposal-for-state-construction-company-to-solve-housing-crisis","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.socialdemocrats.ie\/ga\/social-democrats-launch-new-proposal-for-state-construction-company-to-solve-housing-crisis\/","title":{"rendered":"Social Democrats launch new proposal for State Construction Company to solve housing crisis"},"content":{"rendered":"

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\u2019s deepening housing crisis.<\/p>\n

Under the party\u2019s proposal, a State Construction Company would operate alongside existing market delivery of housing, playing a significant role in providing more affordable and social homes.<\/p>\n

Speaking at the launch of the proposal today, Social Democrats housing spokesperson Rory Hearne TD said:<\/p>\n

\u201cThe State must become a direct developer and builder of homes to solve the housing emergency. This would bring additional stability to the sector, with permanent public capacity to deliver housing.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Social Democrats want the State and not-for-profit housing sector to directly deliver housing on a massive scale through a historic programme of social and affordable home building. This is what was done in Ireland in the past by local authorities and the National Building Agency \u2013 and there is no reason why it can\u2019t be done again.<\/p>\n

\u201cWithout such direct delivery, the radical reset in housing policy required to solve this emergency will not be achieved.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhile private developers and builders will still have a role in housing delivery under our proposal, it is clear that the total reliance on this model under Fianna F\u00e1il\/Fine Gael-led governments has failed to deliver affordable homes at the scale needed.<\/p>\n

\u201cJust as we do not leave it exclusively up to the private for-profit health providers to care for our citizens, or private schools to educate our children, we should not take a laissez faire approach to housing.<\/p>\n

\u201cIreland\u2019s housing disaster is worsening by the day. Our proposal would be a gamechanger after decades of failed housing policy by successive governments.\u201d<\/p>\n

Dr Tom McDonnell, co-director of the Nevin Economic Research Institute, who was a guest speaker at today\u2019s launch, said:<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Social Democrats\u2019 proposal makes sense for a number of reasons. A State Construction Company can prevent the boom\/bust cycle that has plagued us for decades. In addition, a State builder could reduce costs by eliminating profit margins, bulk purchasing, use of standardised designs, economies of scale and lower staff turnover costs.\u201d<\/p>\n

Under the Social Democrats\u2019 plan, a State Construction Company would:<\/p>\n