According to Micheál Martin, the head of Fianna Fáil, Sinn Féin’s housing policy will “crucify” first-time homebuyers, reports Breaking News.
The Tánaiste stated that homeownership was a “key” issue for Fianna Fáil on Newstalk’s Pat Kenny show.
“That’s why we’re saying to young people who are looking to buy houses, we will keep the Help To Buy scheme going until 2030. That enables you to plan properly and that support will be available to you and the First Home Bridge the Gap scheme – that also will be available to you until 2030. Young people are saving, they’re trying to get the deposit and they need to know these things. Sinn Féin are saying they’d get rid of those things, which I think would crucify first-time buyers,” reports Breaking News.
He warned that the property sector will experience “too much uncertainty, disruption, and delay” as a result of Sinn Féin’s plans.
According to Mr. Martin, Fianna Fáil would invest “the Apple money” on water infrastructure so that more homes could be constructed more rapidly.
“Water connections are important and wastewater treatment plants are important. Investment in the energy grid as well, investment in housing itself as well through the Land Development Agency. We’ve already given €1.2 billion in the last budget and we will ramp that up over the next number of years. I believe there has to be a consistent level of social housing built in this country on an annual basis. This year, we will deliver 12,000 social homes – made up of over 8,000 new builds and the rest through acquisition. Where we want to get to is about 12,000 per annum new-build social houses and do that on an annual basis. That will deal with the social housing waiting lists and also take the pressure off the private sector,” reports Breaking News.
One of the primary electoral battlegrounds, the housing problem, has been the subject of initiatives from parties of all stripes.
The departing administration has defended its housing record by claiming that it has increased supply and supervised the building of 125,000 additional residences since taking office.
The administration has been accused by opposition parties of driving up housing costs beyond the means of young workers. According to the Social Democrats, they have increased by almost €85,000 since 2020, reports Breaking News.
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