The national campaign is spearheaded by a coalition of trade unions,
advocacy groups, opposition political parties, trade unions and
community groups.
In Cork, Joe Kelly of the Cork Council of Trade Unions highlighted the
widespread frustration, stating, 鈥淧eople are very angry. We have workers
on all sides of the economy priced out of housing. Many have good jobs
yet still can鈥檛 secure a roof over their heads.鈥
Several Sinn F茅in TDs and councillors joined the marches alongside
members of other political parties and activist groups.
Sinn F茅in鈥檚 Thomas Gould said the rally鈥檚 clear message was that 鈥渨e
need homes, and we need them now.鈥
In Dublin, where Sinn F茅in leader Mary Lou McDonald addressed the
crowds, she condemned the government for 鈥渘ormalising homelessness鈥 and
told the crowd that it was 鈥渟hameful鈥 that children were 鈥渃alling a
hostel, or a B&B, home鈥.
With Dublin ranked the fifth most expensive capital city in Europe, yet
offering relatively better affordability when average incomes are
considered, the housing crisis remains acute, particularly for younger
workers, students, and low-income families.
The housing emergency is compounded by Ireland鈥檚 population growth
vastly outpacing new housing construction. Between 2022 and 2024, only
around 92,700 new homes were built, while the population rose by over
200,000. Experts warn that to meet demand, at least 93,000 homes must be
built annually until 2031, far exceeding current and predicted future
construction levels.
Housing charity Focus Ireland has welcomed some government actions but
insists much more needs to be done. Mike Allen, Director of Advocacy,
warned that increasing homelessness and the growing number of children
without a home are clear signs the crisis is worsening.
Voicing the concerns of young people locked out of the market,
demonstrators like Sin茅ad Scully and Luke Murphy described years of
renting and saving without hope of homeownership. 鈥淒espite secure jobs,
we still can鈥檛 afford property,鈥 said Ms Scully.
Their experience underscores criticism that government schemes like Help
To Buy do little to address soaring prices, which some blame on
successive Fianna F谩il and Fine Gael administrations applying short-term
鈥淏and-Aid solutions鈥 to deep-rooted problems.
Opposition parties argue that the government鈥檚 piecemeal policies and
constant stream of 鈥榯inkering鈥 proposals fail to address the root causes
and demand a comprehensive emergency response.
The government鈥檚 new plan to expand rent pressure zones to all 26
Counties – affecting tenants across the State – is another doomed
initiative which fails to address the core problem of hopelessly
insufficient construction.
Labour鈥檚 Senator Laura Harmon warned that housing shortages threaten to
drive essential workers 鈥 teachers, nurses, and Garda铆 鈥 out of the
country, while Social Democrats鈥 Rory Hearne described the situation as
a 鈥渟ocial catastrophe,鈥 with mental health suffering as a direct
consequence.
As the political battle over housing intensifies, protests continue to
demand government focus and public investment to end the crisis that
affects hundreds of thousands across the country.
Speaking during Leader鈥檚 Questions, Ms McDonald said people who mov
home frequently such as students, healthcare workers and construction
workers will suffer further under the planned rent reforms.
She described the plan as a bonanza for the big boys and one that was
characterised by blunder after blunder.
鈥淭he only way to undo the damage is to go back to the drawing board,鈥
Aont煤 leader Peadar T贸ib铆n sharply criticised the government鈥檚 handling
of the housing crisis, likening it to 鈥渁 dog chasing its tail.鈥
Deputy T贸ib铆n condemned the rent pressure zone legislation as a
鈥渉alf-baked鈥 after-thought that will leave vulnerable groups, such as
students, at the mercy of rising rents.
He called for urgent measures to ramp up homebuilding and called on the
government to abolish a 鈥榮candalous鈥 13.5% added tax on construction
materials which brought in 3 billion euro in tax.
鈥淭he government keep putting sticking plasters on the housing crisis,
but even these plasters have holes in them. They need get the finger out
and start building homes,鈥 he said.