Sinn Féin TDs for Donegal, Pádraig Mac Lochainn and Pearse Doherty, have called on government TDs and those TDs supporting the government to back a Dáil motion which declares a housing emergency in the state.
Sinn Féin will today use the party’s private member’s time in the Dáil to propose the motion.
The motion seeks action against spiralling rents, soaring house prices and record levels of homelessness.
Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochainn said: “Across Donegal, the housing crisis is having a huge impact on people’s lives. Rents in Donegal are now sky high compared to the local average working wage. Families are waiting years on the housing list for a secure roof over their heads. And thousands of families are living in homes with defective blocks.
It is clear that there is a housing emergency in Donegal. Despite this, the government is failing to treat the crisis with the urgency it deserves and in the meantime, people in Donegal are forced to pay the price”.
“This week, Sinn Féin will use our Private Member’s time in the Dáil to bring forward a motion declaring a housing emergency across the state. Minister O’Brien’s shocking comments in a recent media debate, stating that there is no housing emergency, exposed yet again how out of touch this government is.
“Minister O’Brien has been in post for over two years and the housing crisis has only worsened on his watch. Rents are continuing to spiral, house prices continue to soar and there are record levels of homelessness”.
Deputy Pearse Doherty said: “This government has shown time and time again that it is incapable of getting to grips with the housing crisis. We know all too well here in Donegal how a whole generation are locked out of home ownership, paying sky high rents or having to live with their parents, while house prices soar and the dream of home ownership slips further out of reach.
“We know that more council houses were delivered in Donegal in one year, 2002, than in the eleven years between 2010 and 2021. We know that thousands of our families live in defective block homes and have waited and waited for a scheme that actually delivers 100% redress.
“Sinn Féin’s motion declares a housing emergency. It is time for the Minister to do his job and accept the reality of the crisis he is overseeing. Sinn Féin in government would tackle the housing crisis in Donegal by delivering the number of social and affordable housing that is needed in the years ahead”.
