The Social Democrats today announced a five-point plan to increase the supply of affordable housing in Gaeltacht areas.<\/p>\n
The Gaeltacht Housing Plan was launched in An Spid\u00e9al by Galway West by-election candidate M\u00edde Nic Fhionnlaoich and the party\u2019s housing spokesperson Rory Hearne TD.<\/p>\n
Speaking at the launch of the plan, Mide Nic Fhionnlaoich said:<\/p>\n
\u201cThe lack of affordable housing poses an existential threat to Gaeltacht communities and the Irish language.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe cannot accept the erosion of the Gaeltacht and must ensure that the next generation can get a house and make a life for themselves here.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur plan ensures that’s possible \u2013 but we need the political will in Leinster House to make it happen.\u201d<\/p>\n
Rory Hearne TD said:<\/p>\n
\u201cFianna F\u00e1il and Fine Gael have failed to ensure the survival of our language due to their inability to deliver affordable homes for younger people who are native Irish speakers and want to remain living in the Gaeltacht communities they grew up in.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe need \u00dadar\u00e1s na Gaeltachta to have a direct role in delivering affordable housing. The State has a responsibility to protect our language and Gaeltacht communities.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs part of the solution, we also need to clamp down on short-term lets and ensure that these properties are used as homes, and not just assets.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Social Democrats\u2019 plan would see the creation of a national housing, planning and development strategy for the Gaeltachta\u00ed. Gaeltacht planning guidelines would be developed around the statutory duty of local authorities on the preservation of Irish as a community language.<\/p>\n
A Population and Housing Strategy would be published for each Gaeltacht Planning Area to ensure the sustainable growth of Irish-speaking areas.<\/p>\n
Under the proposals, \u00dadar\u00e1s na Gaeltachta would be given clear housing functions, including the powers and funding to directly deliver homes. The agency would also be allowed to purchase land, as well as develop and sell serviced sites to Irish speakers.<\/p>\n
Other elements of the plan include measures to tackle vacancy and dereliction in the Gaeltachta\u00ed; restrictions on planning for short-term lets; the establishment of new Irish language housing cooperatives; the reinstatement of the Gaeltacht Housing Grants Scheme; and the use of new zoning regulations to designate properties in Irish speaking areas as being for primary residence use only.<\/p>\n
May 11, 2026<\/p>\n