Figures published today by the Central Statistics Office expose the Government’s spin on housing for what it is, according to Social Democrats TD Cian O’Callaghan.
Deputy O’Callaghan, who is the party’s spokesperson on housing, said:
“According to the CSO, there were 5,841 new dwelling completions in the first quarter of this year – a fall of 12.1 per cent on the same three months of 2023.
“Most worrying, given the high demand for housing in Dublin, completions in the capital decreased by 25.3 per cent when you compare the first three months of 2024 to 2023.
“These figures expose the fiction behind the Government’s most recent ‘Housing for All’ update.
“It makes a mockery of the new Taoiseach’s pledge to deliver 50,000 homes a year – a promise he is already attempting to row back on.
“Unsurprisingly, the Government’s glossy but hollow progress report fails to mention their abysmal delivery of social and affordable homes. Since taking office, they have failed to deliver 9,527 social homes that were promised.
“The delivery of affordable homes has been even worse with just 499 affordable purchase homes and 966 cost rental homes being delivered last year – when 5,500 were promised.
“We need a new Government with workable solutions if we are serious about solving the housing crisis.”
April 25, 2024