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The draft programme for government will bring little comfort to the locked-out generation struggling to buy or rent a home in Ireland, according to Social Democrats TD Rory Hearne. Deputy Hearne, who represents Dublin North-West, said: “This document, which is just a crude collation of Fianna Fail’s and Fine Gael’s election manifestos, is a worrying […]

The incoming government should follow Spain’s lead by bringing forward tough measures to tackle some of the root causes of the housing crisis, according to Social Democrats TD Rory Hearne. Deputy Hearne, who represents Dublin North-West, said: “While some of the Spanish prime minister’s radical proposals are specific to Spain – such as punitive tax […]

Predicted house price increases for 2025 will come as further grim news for those hoping to buy a home of their own, according to Social Democrats TD Rory Hearne. Deputy Hearne, who represents Dublin North-West, said: “According to its latest residential market review and outlook, estate agent DNG forecasts that house prices across the country […]

Reported breaches of building regulations in one of the State’s largest affordable housing schemes raises serious questions for the developer and Dublin City Council, according to Social Democrats TD Rory Hearne. Deputy Hearne, who represents Dublin North-West, said: “It is deeply concerning to learn that delivery of homes at Oscar Traynor Woods could be delayed […]

The latest homelessness figures confirm that a shameful milestone was reached under the watch of the previous government, according to Social Democrats TD Rory Hearne. Deputy Hearne, who represents Dublin North-West, said: “When the previous government was formed in June 2020, there were 8,699 people in homeless emergency accommodation, 2,653 of them children. “As the […]

The Social Democrats have confirmed that implementation of Sláintecare within the next five years will be a red line issue for the party in any forthcoming programme for government negotiations. The party set out their position at the launch of their Health and Social Care policy today, which was attended by health spokesperson Róisín Shortall, […]

The Social Democrats today published their 10-point plan to make life better for renters in Ireland. The Renters’ Charter was launched by Rory Hearne, the Social Democrats candidate in Dublin North-West, and Róisín Shortall, the party’s finance spokesperson. The charter commits to building 25,000 affordable rental homes over a five-year period, with average rents in […]

Dublin North-West general election candidate for the Social Democrats, Rory Hearne, is not just running for a Dáil seat – he’s also running in support of Palestine in this weekend’s Dublin Marathon. This will be the seasoned runner’s eighth time to participate in the marathon, which takes place this Sunday, October 27. In the most […]

Rory Hearne, the Social Democrats general election candidate in Dublin North-West, has urged the National Transport Authority (NTA) to reverse its plans to axe the Number 11 route as part of BusConnects changes due to come into effect next month. Dr Hearne said: “Under changes to be introduced in late November, the Numbers 4, 11 […]

The Social Democrats have revealed ambitious plans for the delivery of tens of thousands of affordable homes over a five-year period. Details of the fully costed proposals are outlined in the party’s new policy document, ‘Homes Within Reach – Our Plan for Affordable Housing’, which was launched in Dublin today (Monday, October 14). The policy […]