Sinn Féin Housing spokesperson Eoin Ó Broin TD has welcomed statements from Neasa Hourigan TD and Patrick Costello TD that echo calls to ditch Fianna Fáil’s developer-led shared equity scheme and to repurpose the funding for the delivery of public housing.

Teachta Ó Broin said:

“I welcome the comments made by Green Party TDs Neasa Hourigan and Patrick Costello today who called for the funding for Fianna Fáil’s developer-led housing plan to be repurposed to prioritise the delivery of public housing. 

“Green Party representatives on Dublin City Council have also echoed the calls of some of their Fine Gael colleagues that this scheme should not progress.

“This cohort of Green party representatives who have stated their opposition to the scheme can be added to the chorus of voices including the ESRI, the Central Bank, the Institute of Professional Auctioneers and Valuers who believe that the scheme as constituted will not make homes more affordable.

“The Minister for Housing cannot keep dismissing legitimate concerns. As I listened to his bluster on the News at One this lunchtime, he sounded like he was under immense pressure to defend his controversial plan.

“This latest round of criticism should provide a heavy hint to the increasingly belligerent Minister that his scheme is not fit for purpose. It must be scrapped, and the funding must be repurposed for the delivery of genuinely affordable homes.”