Dublin: Housing has emerged as one of the most pressing issues in the lead-up to Ireland’s general election on November 29, 2024. With skyrocketing rents and home prices eroding purchasing power and impacting quality of life, the public is calling for housing reform to be the top priority for all parties. Sinn Féin and other opposition parties have criticised Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael’s housing policies, accusing them of favouring landlords and exacerbating the housing crisis. Both parties have been labelled as representing landowner interests, with policies allegedly driving up costs and limiting affordability.
Fianna Fáil’s housing proposals, which include expanding the “Help to Buy” scheme to secondhand properties, have drawn criticism for echoing their stance during the Celtic Tiger era. Analysts argue that this expansion, along with shared equity schemes, could further inflate home prices, increase borrower risk, and fail to curb rent hikes without stricter rent control policies. Sinn Féin’s housing spokesperson, Eoin Ó Broin, who is running for the Dublin Mid-West seat, expressed concerns that Fianna Fáil and the Green Party’s approach may steadily increase home prices and rents, trapping more people in unaffordable housing. Ó Broin highlighted Sinn Féin’s “A Home of Your Own” initiative, which aims to dramatically increase the supply of affordable housing, reduce waiting lists, and end long-term homelessness. The plan promises to provide affordable homes at around €250,000 and reduce rents to below €1,000 per month.
Fine Gael, meanwhile, has proposed utilising Ireland’s €10 billion Apple tax fund to construct over 300,000 homes by 2030, with a significant investment directed toward the “Help to Buy” scheme. The party also intends to launch special housing initiatives for essential workers, including nurses and healthcare professionals, to improve housing access for those on the front lines.
With housing policies under intense scrutiny, each party’s approach to addressing Ireland’s affordability crisis will play a pivotal role in swaying voters in the upcoming election.
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