News

The law is inadvertently facilitating the further abuse of social housing tenants Social Democrats TD Holly Cairns has called on the Government to make changes to legislation to protect social housing tenants who are survivors of domestic abuse. “As things stand, a person who is abusing their partner can refuse to relinquish their rights under […]

An Bord Pleanála needs to be protected from political interference Legislation being rushed through the Dáil this week has the potential to further erode public confidence in the planning system, according to Social Democrats Housing spokesperson Cian O’Callaghan. “This regressive Bill seeks to concentrate power in the Minister’s hands when it comes to the appointment […]

Shocking figures show that 20% of social housing residents with pre-paid meters in one district energy block have been cut-off from heating and hot water  Social Democrats Housing spokesperson Cian O’Callaghan has called for immediate State supports for residents reliant on district energy systems after it emerged that some households have been charged extortionate rates […]

Halfway through this Government’s term, all key housing statistics are pointing in the wrong direction Social Democrats TD Cian O’Callaghan has confirmed that his party will be voting against tomorrow’s Government motion expressing confidence in Housing Minister Darragh O’Brien. Deputy O’Callaghan, who is the party’s Housing spokesperson, said: “We are now halfway through this Government’s […]

Overdue regulation of short-term lets must include proper enforcement The Government’s long overdue announcement of plans to regulate the short-term letting market must include a nationwide extension of Rent Pressure Zones, according to Social Democrats TD Cian O’Callaghan. Deputy O’Callaghan, who is the party’s Housing spokesperson, said: “With homelessness numbers, house prices and rents all […]

Focus needs to shift to the delivery of social, affordable purchase and cost-rental homes Figures published by the Central Statistics Office showing a contraction in residential building activity for the third quarter of this year is further proof that the Government’s housing plan is not working, according to Social Democrats TD Cian O’Callaghan. Deputy O’Callaghan, […]

Landlords are leaving the rental market in their droves, with 43,000 properties lost in five years The mass exodus of landlords from the rental market further highlights the urgent need for regulation of short-term letting platforms, according to Social Democrats TD Cian O’Callaghan. Deputy O’Callaghan, who is the party’s spokesperson on Housing, said: “Reports today […]

The Department of Children cannot adopt a ‘one-size fits all’ approach to the refugee crisis Children with additional needs living in emergency accommodation should not be moved at short notice, according to Social Democrats Spokesperson for Children Jennifer Whitmore. “Today, some 200 Ukrainian refugees are being moved from the Clondalkin hotel they have lived in […]

Thousands of local authority homes lie empty as the number of people in emergency accommodation reaches another grim record The latest record homelessness figures further highlight the Government’s laissez-faire approach to tackling the housing crisis, according to Social Democrats TD Cian O’Callaghan. Deputy O’Callaghan, who is the party’s Housing spokesperson, said: “With Christmas now just […]

Figures show Government’s housing plan is an abject failure The latest Daft report paints a grim picture of Ireland’s rental market and is further proof that the Government’s housing plan has failed, according to Social Democrats TD Cian O’Callaghan. Deputy O’Callaghan, who is the party’s Housing spokesperson, said: “The latest Daft report is a stark […]