Sinn Féin housing spokesperson Eoin Ó Broin has said that the government’s failed housing plan has made Dublin one of the most expensive cities in the world in which to live.

Deputy Ó Broin was responding to a report by Mercer, which highlighted the high cost of rental accommodation as the primary cause for Dublin climbing to 41st in its world ranking, ahead of major European cities such as Milan, Rome and Madrid.

Teachta Ó Broin said:

“Month after month, week after week, the impact of the government’s failed housing plan is laid bare by independent analysis.

“This latest report by Mercer highlights the high cost of rental accommodation as the primary reason for why Dublin has now climbed ten places to 41st in their global ranking of the most expensive cities in which to live.

“This will not come as a surprise to anyone struggling to put a roof over their head in this city, and comes on the back of a report by the Banking and Payments Federation last week that found that 40% of first-time buyers in Kildare, Wicklow and Meath are from Dublin.

“These are not isolated reports. Reports from Dublin Chamber, ISME, Chambers Ireland, and the Irish Exporters Association have all highlighted the impact on the economy of a shortage of affordable housing in Dublin.

“Until we have a government that prioritises the delivery of tens of thousands of genuinely affordable homes these problems will continue.

“The only way to reverse this trend is to get Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael out of government.

“We will only fix the housing crisis and bring down the cost of homes and rents by increasing supply.

“Sinn Féin would deliver tens of thousands of homes over five years; as part of the biggest social and affordable housing plan in the history of the State.”