Kilkenny councillor says Government has 'no new ideas' on housing, warns over scrapping rent pressure zones

Labour’s councillor in Kilkenny City Seán Ó hArgáin has criticised the government’s failure to deliver on housing, as his party's first motion of the new term came before the Dáil this week.

The motion sets out Labour’s case for radical change and calls for urgent State intervention to build public homes at scale.

“For nearly a decade, Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael have shared power, and in that time, they have totally failed to put in place the policy measures and resources necessary to resolve the housing crisis. They have no new ideas and prefer to take pot shots at Opposition parties rather than engage with Labour’s proposals to build more homes, provide security for renters, and break their over-reliance on the private sector," said Cllr Ó hArgáin.

Cllr Sean O'Hargain beside the Oireachtas picture of Seamu Pattison

“When knocking on doors in Carlow and Kilkenny, the message is loud and clear: housing, housing, housing. Young people are being locked out of home ownership, renters are struggling with record-high costs, and families in Carlow/Kilkenny are being forced into overcrowded and unsuitable living situations. Despite all the government’s promises, the crisis is only deepening.”

Cllr Ó hArgáin highlighted that the government is now considering scrapping rent pressure zones due to lobbying from private investors.

“The result of this will be even higher rents for young people who are already paying record rates. This government has consistently bowed to the demands of investors and speculators, with changes to planning and development rules that have failed year after year to deliver the level of housing needed. Now, instead of tackling the core issues, their approach is to line the pockets of investors while renters and young workers in Carlow and Kilkenny suffer the consequences," he said.

"The solution is clear. The State must take a far more active role in housing delivery. Labour is calling for the Land Development Agency to be properly resourced, given the power to compulsorily purchase private land, and transformed over time into a State Construction Company with the ability to directly build public homes at scale.”

Cllr Ó hArgáin also set out a range of political choices that could be made today to tackle the crisis:

• Devolve more power to local authorities, introduce a streamlined single-stage approval process for social homes, and fund the upfront delivery of community infrastructure.
• Introduce a land price register and bring down house prices by implementing the Kenny Report’s recommendations, land value sharing, and a dedicated land management unit within every local authority.
• Grow the construction workforce by introducing a minimum wage for craft apprentices and expanding training supports.

“This Government is failing to deliver renters, first-time buyers, and families stuck in limbo. Labour’s motion calls for a fundamental change of direction – one that prioritises public housing delivery over developer profits.

"Housing for All has manifestly failed, and unless the Government changes course, the housing crisis will only deepen. Labour is urging all parties to support our motion in the Dáil. It’s time for action, not excuses," he said.