Dublin South West TD, Seán Crowe, has said that the Taoiseach’s handling of the affordable housing element of his Government’s housing strategy is a shambles. Since taking office in 2011 Fine Gael have not delivered a single affordable, rental, or purchase home through any Government scheme.

Crowe was speaking following a debate prompted by his party, Sinn Féin, after they tabled a motion calling for more builds, increased State investment, and easier access for buyers.

Deputy Seán Crowe said

“The Taoiseach, Leo Varadakar, and his Government are clearly out of their depth when it comes delivering affordable housing to individuals and families who are trapped paying staggering and unaffordable rents.

“Since taking office in 2011 Fine Gael have not delivered a single affordable, rental, or purchase home through any Government scheme.

“The revamped affordable housing scheme that has been introduced and the additional €25 million announced in Budget 2018 tinkers with the current crisis and will only deliver 650 homes across the State.

“650 affordable houses would hardly create a dent in the demand for housing in my own constituency of Dublin South West and this is supposed to meet the needs of tens of thousands across the country.

“My party, Sinn Féin, proposed the introduction of ambitious affordable rental and purchase schemes led by Local Authorities, and where appropriate, approved housing bodies and housing cooperatives.  We have also shown how to deliver more affordable housing through increased investment, the amendment of Part 5 of the Planning and Development Act to deliver 10% of affordable in addition to 10% social housing, the implementation of rent certainty, and by building a greater density of affordable housing on state owned lands.

“Clearly the current affordable scheme is not delivering housing and it is excluding individuals, couples and families from ever owning their own home. Its design and lack of depth excludes those on low and middle incomes and perpetuates the belief that the recovery is for the few and not the many.”

ENDS