Workers’ Party Councillor for Dublin’s North Inner City, Éilis Ryan commented on today’s rising figures:

“Today’s figures that over 20,000 people are now on social housing waiting lists across Dublin will come as no surprise to all those living through this housing crisis nightmare.”

“Every day I meet people who are simply struggling to have a roof over their heads. These people are either spending most of their wages on sub-standard and crowded accommodation, are couch surfing between friends and family or are simply finding themselves homeless living in hostels or on the streets.”

Workers Party representative for Dublin North-West, Jimmy Dignam continued by saying:

“The council’s attempt today to further expand on already failing schemes is utterly nonsensical. Landlords have already withdrawn from the scheme as demand for private rental accommodation means they are able to charge exorbitant amounts. Rent controls could easily be enacted to combat this particular issue, but the government prefers to take its lead from estate agencies and landlords.

“The notion that landlords would be offered 92% of an already unaffordable market rate shows just shows how out-of-touch this government is with the housing crisis in Dublin. Furthermore, councils are offering to cover maintenance costs on some schemes.”

“Why on earth should the state line the pockets of landlords and then cover the up-keep of dwellings as well? The €3.8 billion allocated by the government should not be wasted on further propping up a private market which is largely to blame for the housing crisis. We must move away from seeing social housing as a negative and back to viewing it as a right.”

Workers Party representative for Dublin Mid-West, Lorraine Hennessy, ended by saying:

“Our campaign for better housing conditions and rights in Balgaddy showed that when local communities organise, they can be successful on this issue. Its imperative that all those facing evictions, rising rents and sub-standard housing come together to put pressure on the Government to implement radical solutions to halt this crisis and not just enrichen landlords and developers.”