Sinn Féin TDs for Donegal, Pearse Doherty and Pádraig Mac Lochlainn, have said that only a radical change of direction can address the deepening housing crisis.
And the duo claimed that this can only happen with a general election and a change of Government with Eoin Ó Broin as Minister for Housing.
Their comments were made as Sinn Féin published their detailed alternative budget document and the text of a Private Members Motion on the housing budget being debated in the Dáil this week.
Deputy Doherty said “Under this government, the housing crisis has gone from bad to worse. Eoin Ó Broin published our detailed Alternative Budget on housing this week, the focus of which is delivering affordable homes.
“We made provision for an additional €1.4 billion of Government capital expenditure and €300m Approved Housing Body borrowing to deliver 21,000 social, affordable-purchase and affordable-rental homes next year.
“We also set out how we believe a Sinn Féin Government will deliver this ambitious target in one year. It will be done by increasing investment, cutting red tape, using more vacant and derelict homes and new building technologies, and redirecting building workers to where they are needed most, the delivery of affordable homes.
“Once again Sinn Féin’s alternative budget stands up for renters outlining what a real renter’s tax relief looks like alongside a three-year ban on rent increases.
“Our document also sets out how to improve the quality of our existing housing stock, how to deliver 100% redress to all those impacted by the defective block crisis, how to address the housing needs of Travellers and people with disabilities, how to rise to the challenge of climate change and how to appropriately resource our planning system.”
Deputy Mac Lochlainn added “In our Alternative Budget for 2024 we are committed to delivering 100% redress for all those living in defective homes.
“We believe that the responsibility for funding the redress schemes must be borne by both the State and industry.
“Given the extent of the defects that have been uncovered, full redress is going to take billions of euros and many years.
“Sinn Féin is committed to ensuring at least €200 million of exchequer funding is provided next year for those affected by the defective blocks crisis.
“We would also pursue the creation of an industry fund, either through agreement or legislation with the relevant sectors. Any funds raised through an industry contribution would be additional to committed Government expenditure and both contributions would be multi-annual.
“We continue to be concerned that the revised defective block scheme launched back in June will not provide 100% redress for affected homeowners.
“We are also greatly concerned with the stalling of both the provision of emergency funding and the wider redress scheme for people living in affected homes.
“Sinn Féin will continue to work with homeowners and tenants living in homes affected by the defective blocks crisis and ensure that adequate redress schemes are in place to enable people to rebuild their lives and their homes.”
