News

New figures indicate that rent caps are still being widely ignored in parts of the country covered by Rent Pressure Zones, according to Social Democrats TD Cian O’Callaghan. Deputy O’Callaghan, who is the party’s housing spokesperson, said: “Rents in existing tenancies rose by 5.2 per cent nationally, according to the latest Rent Index Report carried […]

Figures released today by the Department of Housing show that 3,962 children spent Christmas living in homeless emergency accommodation. Commenting, Social Democrats housing spokesperson Cian O’Callaghan said: “This is 520 more than December 2022 and a shocking 49 per cent increase since this Government has taken office. “Growing up without a home can have devastating impacts on […]

The revelation that Ryanair has bought up 25 homes in an estate in Swords, Co. Dublin, is another kick in the teeth for first-time buyers, according to Social Democrats housing spokesperson Cian O’Callaghan. “It is already hard enough for people looking to get a place of their own when rents are at the highest ever […]

New figures showing there are over 100,000 empty homes around the country highlight the Government’s failure to bring vacant and derelict properties back into use, according to Social Democrats TD Cian O’Callaghan. Deputy O’Callaghan, who is the party’s housing spokesperson, said: “An analysis of data in the GeoDirectory report reveals there were over 81,000 vacant […]

The Government has been strongly criticised for not supporting an amendment by Social Democrats TD Cian O’Callaghan to effectively ban the bulk purchase of homes by investment funds. Deputy O’Callaghan, who is the party’s housing spokesperson, said: “Last night, I submitted an amendment calling for a 100 per cent stamp duty rate on the bulk […]

Figures released by Revenue prove that measures introduced almost three years ago by the Government to deter the bulk purchasing of homes by investment funds are completely inadequate, according to Social Democrats TD Cian O’Callaghan. Deputy O’Callaghan, who is the party’s housing spokesperson, said: “Under new stamp duty measures introduced in 2021, investors purchasing more […]

The Government is continuing to facilitate the bulk purchase of homes by investment funds – and failing to protect first time buyers, according to Social Democrats Housing Spokesman Cian O’Callaghan. Commenting on a report in the Business Post of an investment fund buying 46 of 54 homes in a Dublin housing estate, the TD for […]

The derisory delivery of affordable homes shows that the Minister for Housing is hopelessly out of his depth and incapable of meeting the Government’s own targets, according to Social Democrats TD Cian O’Callaghan. Deputy O’Callaghan, who is the party’s housing spokesperson, said: “The Quarter 3 Affordable Housing Report highlights exceptionally poor delivery and targets that […]

Today’s report by the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) provides further evidence that rent caps are being widely breached, according to Social Democrats TD Cian O’Callaghan. Deputy O’Callaghan, who is the party’s housing spokesperson, said: “According to the Rental Sector Survey Report, median rent has increased nationally by €300 and is now €1,300 compared to the […]

The Government must immediately reinstate the no-fault eviction ban to stem the rising tide of homelessness, according to Social Democrats TD Cian O’Callaghan. Deputy O’Callaghan, who is the party’s housing spokesperson, said: “This year, at least 13,000 people – almost 4,000 of them children – will spend Christmas in emergency homeless accommodation. The latest shameful […]