Deputy Pauline Tully is demanding that Government TDs in Cavan and Monaghan account for the "failure" in delivering affordable housing in the constituency. The Cavan Monaghan Sinn Fein TD was speaking ahead of a party motion on affordable housing which will be debated in the Dáil later this week.
Speaking to Northern Sound, Deputy Tully said the Government's decision to end the ban on no-fault evictions as well as its "mismanagement" of the private rental sector - has led to widespread fear for hundreds of renters across this region.
She highlighted how this latest housing motion is calling on the Government to increase its investment in the delivery of affordable homes for working people. She added such an investment should deliver at least 8,000 affordable homes to rent and buy per year.
"The majority of renters are working people - teachers, nurses, Gardaí, retail and service sector workers. Many of them are not eligible for social housing and they need affordable homes to rent and buy. The revelation that Darragh O'Brien has failed to spend €1bn of his capital budget for social and affordable homes since 2020 is scandalous.
"During the worst housing crisis in the history of the State, the Government must explain how such a huge underspend is possible. The funding streams and approval processes for the delivery of affordable homes must be streamlined to accelerate the delivery of these homes.
"The Government must also reinstate the ban on no-fault evictions to protect all renters and introduce an emergency package of measures to prevent people from becoming homeless," said Deputy Tully.
