The Government’s approach to housing is “failing miserably” and in urgent need of a radical reset, according to Social Democrats housing spokesperson Rory Hearne.
Speaking ahead of yesterday evening’s Raise the Roof protest outside the Dáil, Deputy Hearne launched a scathing attack on what he described as the Government’s chaotic and investor-driven housing policies.
Despite repeated claims from the coalition that housing is their “number one priority”, Hearne argued that their actions tell a different story — one of incoherence, inaction and misplaced loyalties.
“This government claims that housing is their highest priority, that it’s dedicating all resources possible to combatting the dearth of hope in the sector,” he said.
“Yet, when it comes to its policies, it flails aimlessly and chaotically.”
Hearne singled out recent confusion around proposed changes to Rent Pressure Zones (RPZs) as evidence of this lack of direction.
Though the Government announced changes, the actual legislation underpinning those changes has yet to materialise.
“The Minister is making policy on the fly, unable to produce a coherent plan to back it up, all the while pandering to investor funds while renters and those without a home suffer.”
The Social Democrats TD also criticised the Government for backing policies he says are driving rents to record highs, with little regard for the impact on ordinary tenants.
“Driving record rents even higher, according to the government, will make them cheaper — it’s no surprise that even Cabinet Ministers can’t get their heads around this scheme.”
Hearne also pointed to the Land Development Agency (LDA) as an example of the State’s sluggish response.
“The LDA was formed seven years ago, yet only now is the Government beginning to consider strengthening its powers — something the Social Democrats have long been calling for.
“Seven years on from the formation of the Land Development Agency, the government is finally talking about giving it greater compulsory purchase powers — something the Social Democrats were demanding from the outset.
It’s still completely unclear whether these new powers will be accompanied by a new budget, which must be clarified as soon as possible.”
He accused the Government of “playing catch-up” on housing and warned that in some areas it is “moving in the wrong direction altogether”.
The Raise the Roof protest was attended by supporters from across the political spectrum, including Sinn Féin, Labour, People Before Profit, and the Green Party.
The demonstration coincided with a cross-party motion being debated in the Dáil calling for urgent and effective action to tackle Ireland’s worsening housing crisis.