Social Democrats Housing spokesperson and Dublin Bay North TD, Cian O’Callaghan, has expressed serious concern about the absence of a direct-build affordable housing scheme in Budget 2021.
Deputy O’Callaghan said:
“The budget failed to address the issue of housing affordability. There is no provision for the direct building of affordable homes by the State – this is a serious mistake. We know that directly building affordable homes is the most cost-effective means of delivery.
“There is a huge affordability gap in this budget. What has been provided for instead is more of the same – more funding for schemes that do not work. The Government’s one big new idea, the shared equity scheme, was lobbied for by private property developers because they know it will keep prices inflated. Subsidies and tax breaks for private developers will not make housing more affordable.
“With interest rates at an historic low, the Government have missed a golden opportunity to build thousands of affordable homes on State land.”
October 14, 2020