The priorities for Dublin’s residents in the 2025 Budget differ significantly, ranging from reductions to the “Apple tax” billions to ramping up fund allocation for the Health Service Executive, motivated by distressing 12-hour delays encountered in emergency departments. One primary worry, however, persisted throughout most – housing.
The predicament seems daunting for 22-year-old store manager, Anna Farrell, “It is absolutely heart-breaking. There is simply no chance for me to become a homeowner. The idea doesn’t even cross my mind seeing the current scenario. It’s causing an exodus of youth from this country due to a severe lack of places to reside.”
Rosie McLoughlin, 24, shares a similar sentiment, “It is quite horrendous that the younger lot feels compelled to relocate to Australia or Europe as there is no lodging for them here. With the absurdly high costs, what is even the purpose of stashing money away? We might as well spend it on luxuries like coffee.”
Meanwhile, for young parents, the skyrocketing cost and scarcity of childcare services have emerged as a top issue.
“Presently, every aspect of daily life is a battle, thanks to the escalating living expenses,” says Darach Lacey, a 35-year-old dad of two. Working in marketing, he utilises around €2,000 every month for his 10-year-old’s childcare. To ease his finances, he would welcome any form of assistance offered to parents.
Struggling with managing his expenditures, he admits, “It’s pressure-ridden. It needs a tremendous amount of preparation. You’re perpetually keeping tabs on your financial inflows and outflows. So, any extra assistance that could relieve even a hint of that burden would be great.”
Apart from student and general housing concerns, the biggest worry for students is the high cost they incur for public transport.
For those studying and living with their parents, this ranks as their most significant financial burden. Some even suggested making it free for students or reducing the fare further.
“They say their public transport expenses nearly doubled when they celebrated their 19th birthdays, with long journeys costing close to double – from 65 cents to €1.”
Galway’s Ciarán Dunwoody emphasised the dire need for more student accommodations, describing students’ frantic rushes to find suitable places to dwell every year as “desperate”.
He resides within purpose-constructed student housing situated in the Liberties, Dublin 8. His monthly rent of €1,100 imposes a considerable financial constraint. Other learners express a gloomy outlook towards housing options, with a majority originating from Dublin and assorted counties. They anticipate dwelling with their parents post-graduation due to prohibitive rent prices.
Ella Corrigan, a young 19-year-old enthusiast of chemistry studying at the illustrious Trinity College Dublin, rises at the early hour of 5:30am to reach her 9am lecture from Wicklow. She has already decided to escape overseas once her student journey ends. The reason? The exorbitant expenses.
She attempts to balance her studies alongside weekend bartending shifts and has unsuccessfully sought student lodging.
She voices her disconcertment about couples in their middle ages, engrossed in full-time employment imbibed in excessive hours, being unable to acquire a property of their own. She believes this situation to be quite absurd as it pushes everyone to consider migrating away from Ireland.
Ella’s acquaintance, Ava O’Dwyer pitches in as well stating that tales from the past speak of individuals affording a home in their 20’s which she opines would be an unattainable dream until 40 in today’s scenario, bestowed with a modicum of good fortune.