News

This is the third half-hearted and ineffective attempt to deal with big funds buying up entire housing developments The proposal going to cabinet today to allow local authorities reserve up to 50% of new developments for owner-occupiers does not go far enough, according to the Social Democrats Housing Spokesperson Cian O’Callaghan. “With this latest measure, […]

The granting of permission to this enormous development proves the city development is no longer worth the paper it is written on The decision of An Bord Pleanála to grant planning permission to a Strategic Housing Development on the grounds of Holy Cross seminary in Drumcondra is deeply concerning, according to Social Democrats Dublin Central […]

It is now time for council management and Housing Minister Darragh O’Brien to show some vision The proposed developer-led plan to deliver housing on public lands at Oscar Traynor Road is unaffordable and poor value for taxpayers, according to Social Democrats Councillor Patricia Roe. “Choosing to deliver this scheme through a private developer will result […]

Budget 2022 cut funding for homeless services by €24 million Housing for All is nothing more than a meaningless slogan given homelessness has risen for the fifth month in a row, according to Social Democrats Housing Spokesperson Cian O’Callaghan T.D “The latest homelessness figures, published by the Department of Housing today, show the number of […]

This Bill would create transparency around land prices and developers’ margins Social Democrats Housing Spokesperson Cian O’Callaghan has launched a Bill that would create a Land Price Register for the first time. Speaking in advance of introducing his Bill in the Dáil today, Deputy O’Callaghan said: “If the Government is serious about tackling land hoarding, […]

House price increases are now almost three times higher than the rate of inflation House price inflation is out of control because the government is pouring petrol on the fire of an already red-hot property market, according to Social Democrats Housing Spokesperson Cian O’Callaghan. “The Residential Property Price Index published by the CSO today shows […]

Why are the interests of big developers always put ahead of those who need an affordable home? The new Zoned Land Tax exposes the Government’s lack of urgency when it comes to delivering housing, according to Social Democrats Housing Spokesperson Cian O’Callaghan. “The two-year delay in introducing the Zoned Land Tax shows a complete lack […]

To see the crisis go unaddressed for a decade, while the Taoiseach flippantly states the issue cannot be addressed overnight, is deplorable Social Democrats Councillors on Dublin City Council have called for a special meeting of the local authority to be convened to address dismissive and condescending comments, made by Chief Executive Owen Keegan to […]

One deal worth €10.7m was concluded without any legal agreement A new report from Clúid Housing shows there is a clear lack of oversight of housing deals entered into between local authorities and developers, according to Social Democrats Housing Spokesperson Cian O’Callaghan. “The report published today by Clúid Housing – ‘Planning Gain and Obligation: Promise […]

The Government’s rent pressure zone policy has failed miserably The latest rent index report from the Residential Tenancies Board is further evidence that rent levels are out of control, according to Social Democrats Housing Spokesperson Cian O’Callaghan. “This report is further evidence that rent levels are out of control. Rents have increased by 7pc in […]