Mary Lou McDonald, the leader of Sinn Féin, has criticised multiple consecutive Fine Gael administrations for destroying housing affordability. However, Taoiseach Simon Harris fired back at her party, accusing them of lacking tangible solutions beyond fancy speeches and failing to unveil their alternative approach to housing.
McDonald asserted that soaring rental prices persist, homelessness is at unprecedented levels, and an entire generation is barred from owning homes due to exorbitantly priced houses. She brought up the issue in the Dáil ahead of her party’s Private Members’ debate on affordable housing, asserting that it was the chief concern during the local and European elections slated for the next month. She blamed the poor state on 13 consecutive years under Fine Gael governments, during which housing affordability had been utterly compromised.
McDonald, who represents Dublin Central, referenced a report from MyHome.ie that showed that nearly half of the populace is delaying buying a home due to the high cost of living. She maintained that the government’s failure to provide affordable housing for both renting and purchasing is a primary source of the problem, with 40% of individuals below 35 years of age continuing to live at home. She also pointed out that the government had failed to meet its affordable housing goals each year since the initiation of its so-called “housing plan”. In Dublin city and several other counties, the government had not delivered any affordable housing for renting or buying in the past two years.
The Sinn Féin motion claimed that an ambitious program that includes affordable leasehold purchase homes is the best way to counter the affordable housing crisis. This must be a part of the most comprehensive public housing program in the nation’s history, including an increased supply of social, affordable, cost-rental and affordable leasehold purchase homes. The motion also advised that a change of government during a general election is the sole method to implement such an ambitious program.
According to Ms McDonald a property in Clonburris, Clondalkin, situated in Dublin, is marked at €425,000, a figure she considers too high for the government to deem ‘affordable’. She also mentioned the monthly rents in Citywest are almost €1,800, criticising it as unaffordable. She explained how renters are exploited by landlords and by the state, a situation which she believes is outrageous.
However, the Taoiseach counter-argued that every week there are 500 first-time property owners acquiring homes that were non-existent weeks or years earlier. He also stated that construction had begun on over 12,000 residences during the initial quarter of this year, showing an increase of 60% compared to the prior year.
Furthermore, various plans including first-time home schemes, the help-to-buy programme, and a grant for renovating vacant properties were noted by Mr Harris. He stated that Sinn Féin opposes these plans and under Ms McDonald’s leadership, these wouldn’t exist.
Mr Harris underscored the availability of affordable housing valued at €225,000 in Waterford, €255,000 in Kilkenny and €300,000 in Dublin. He highlighted the government’s plan to bring forth 6,000 affordable houses this year.
Questioning Sinn Féin’s proposal, Mr Harris queried about the affordable housing plan of €300,000 promised 139 days ago by the Sinn Féin leader, since no specific plan had been put forth. He asked when Sinn Féin would launch a comprehensive proposal to match the ‘Housing for All’ plan.
In response, Sinn Féin’s housing spokesman Eoin Ó Broin chastised Housing Minister Darragh O’Brien for his handling of affordable housing, and suggested that the Sinn Féin government would do a better job, with plans to provide affordable homes ranging from €200,000 to €300,000.
The Housing Minister, Darragh O’Brien, has reported that in this year alone, there have been an average of 1,000 new residential constructions starting each week. He attributed this advancement to government-backed schemes and funds. O’Brien also criticised Mr Ó Broin, stating he has intentionally provided inaccurate information regarding assistance available to the public. He commented that the government remains in anticipation, even after a year, for an alternative solution to the “Housing for All” plan from Mr Ó Broin.