Sinn Féin Director of Elections, Matt Carthy, has slammed Fianna Fáil’s threadbare promises on housing as an attempt to distract from their failures in government.

Matt Carthy said:

“Fianna Fáil’s claims to be the party of home-ownership are frankly delusional. The housing section of their manifesto reads like a list of all the things they failed to do in government, alongside promises that are paler imitations of Sinn Féin’s comprehensive plans. Voters won’t be fooled.

“Under Fianna Fáil, home-ownership has plummeted. The average age of first time buyers is soaring, with people stuck forking out huge sums to rent or living in their parents’ box rooms well into their thirties or forties. Entire generations are putting their lives on hold or else feel forced to emigrate because of this government’s failures on housing. Today a report revealed that more than two thirds of 18-24 year olds see their future abroad- voters have a choice at this election to put an end to the misery caused by Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael by voting for change.

“Fianna Fáil have spent much of this election campaign talking about Sinn Féin’s housing policy, because their own housing policy is so threadbare and vague that it doesn’t stand up. 

“Sinn Féin has set out our plan to bring the dream of home-ownership back into the reach of working people. We will deliver 370,000 new homes – private, public, affordable and to rent homes. This is a comprehensive and costed plan, the scale and ambition of which has never been set out by any other party. It is workable and detailed. We are ready to start delivering this plan from day one in Government. It will make a real difference for people.

“The reality is that first time buyers will be better off under Sinn Féin. We will be immediately bringing down the cost of buying a home by abolishing Stamp Duty for first time buyers on houses under €450,000. The First Time buyers grant will remain in place while we deliver affordable housing at scale, it will then be phased out as those affordable houses come on stream. Fianna Fáil’s attempts to misrepresent Sinn Féin’s plan reek of desperation as they try to distract from their abysmal record and vague promises are convincing no one.

“At this election voters face a stark choice between more of the same failings on housing under Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael. Or a vote for change, by voting for Sinn Féin. A Sinn Féin led government will end the housing crisis and bring the dream of home ownership back into reach for working people.”