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Social Democrats Housing spokesperson Cian O’Callaghan TD has expressed serious concerns about the Land Development Bill which will be debated in the Dáil tomorrow. Deputy O’Callaghan said: “The Land Development Agency Bill will facilitate the privatisation of public land through the back door. This will drive up the cost of homes built on public land. […]

The Social Democrats Housing spokesperson Cian O’Callaghan TD has urged the Minister for Housing to rethink and redesign his affordable housing plans, in particular the shared equity loans. Deputy O’Callaghan said: “The experts are now lining up to tell the Minister for Housing that some of his affordable housing plans will actually make housing more […]

Social Democrats Housing spokesperson Cian O’Callaghan TD has welcomed the announcement by Fingal County Council of a new affordable housing scheme at Dun Emer in Lusk, which he believes should be replicated nationwide. The scheme will be offered in partnership with Ó Cualann Cohousing Alliance, with prices ranging from €166,000 for a two-bed apartment to […]

Reacting to the publication of the Land Development Agency Bill 2021, Social Democrats Housing spokesperson Cian O’Callaghan TD said: “The Government plan to sell homes at full market prices on public land is a slap in the face to the thousands of people currently locked out of buying their own home. The core objective of the […]

Social Democrats TD Cian O’Callaghan has called on the Minister for Housing to correct the Dáil record following misleading statements in relation to standards in homeless hostels. Cian O’Callaghan, who is the party’s spokesperson for Housing, said: “In the Dáil last Thursday, the Minister for Housing stated that the National Quality Standards Framework applies to […]

Social Democrats Housing spokesperson Cian O’Callaghan TD today described the two-tier system of emergency accommodation for homeless people as completely unacceptable. Commenting, Deputy O’Callaghan said: “Brendan Kenny of Dublin City Council confirmed at today’s meeting of the Oireachtas Housing Committee that the National Quality and Standards Framework for homeless service providers is not being applied […]

The Oireachtas Housing Committee learnt today that homeless deaths in Dublin increased by 61% in 2020. In total, 79 people who were homeless in Dublin died in 2020, according to the Dublin Regional Homeless Executive. This compares to 49 in 2019 and 47 in 2018. Social Democrats Housing spokesperson Cian O’Callaghan said: “It is tragic […]

Social Democrats TD Cian O’Callaghan has expressed frustration after the Minister for Housing was again unable to provide clear answers as to why homeless people are still being turned away from emergency accommodation. Speaking after tackling Minister O’Brien on the issue in the Dáil today, Deputy O’Callaghan, who is the party’s Housing spokesperson, commented: “Minister […]

Social Democrats spokesperson for International Affairs, Cian O’Callaghan TD, has described the inauguration of Joe Biden as US President as the beginning of a new era of hope and renewal for the people of America. Deputy O’Callaghan stated: “Today represents a significant turning point for the people of America after four years of divisive politics […]

Reacting to the Government’s Affordable Housing Bill 2020, Social Democrats Housing spokesperson Cian O’Callaghan TD said: “Relying on the private sector for the provision of affordable housing is a broken model. Shared equity loans are more of the same old, failed, developer-led policymaking. We need a change of direction. “A review of the UK shared […]

The Social Democrats Housing spokesperson, Cian O’Callaghan TD, is calling on the Government to take proactive steps to address the issue of Brexit-related construction cost increases. Deputy O’Callaghan said: “We need action on the part of Government to address Brexit-related increases in construction costs. Steel, for example, which is imported via Northern Ireland, is now […]

Last night’s RTÉ investigates programme put a spotlight on a homelessness crisis that has persisted for far too long, according to Social Democrats Housing spokesperson Cian O’Callaghan TD. Calling on the Government to commit to ending homelessness, Deputy O’Callaghan said: “Last night’s RTÉ investigates programme exposed a homeless support system that is badly broken. We […]

Speaking ahead of tonight’s RTÉ Investigates programme on the lived experience of rough sleepers in Ireland, Social Democrats spokesperson for Housing, Cian O’Callaghan TD, commented: “Research carried out by RTÉ Investigates for the ‘Stuck in the Rough’ documentary found that 27% of the people sleeping rough said that they were turned away from an emergency […]

Social Democrats TD Cian O’Callaghan has called on the Government to use a portion of the Brexit Adjustment Reserve Fund to offset the increased costs faced by low-income households. Deputy O’Callaghan, who is the party’s spokesperson on Brexit, said: “The complications caused by Brexit are resulting in increased costs for the supply of some basic […]