Sinn Féin Leader Mary Lou McDonald has said Simon Harris and Fine Gael’s failure to deliver affordable homes has resulted in the collapse of homeownership for a generation in Dublin and across the state.

She warned that if Fine Gael are in government for another five years, home ownership will remain outside of their reach and that is why voting for change is so important on Friday.

Speaking today as the party launched their Delivering For Dublin plan at Dublin City Hall, Teachta McDonald said:

“Fine Gael’s failure to deliver affordable homes that teachers, nurses, factory and retail workers can actually afford in Dublin has resulted in the collapse of home ownership for so many across our city. 

“Fine Gael’s failure on housing is clear to see in Dublin. Many people in neighbourhoods right across our capital city are faced with the choice of continuing to live with their parents well into their 30s, paying extortionate rents or feeling forced to emigrate because they can’t see a future for themselves here in Ireland.

“Sinn Féin have set out our plan to get to grips with the housing crisis and deliver genuinely affordable homes to buy and rent in Dublin. We have set out how Local Authorities and Approved Housing Bodies can deliver homes for under €300,000, alongside the delivery of large-scale social housing.  This programme will ensure that home ownership is once again affordable for teachers, nurses, factory and retail workers.  That is the type of radical, strategic reset that is required to deliver the change Dublin needs. 

“I am proud of the strong team of candidates that are running for Dublin in this election, 74 local election candidates who are all leaders in their communities and determined to deliver change. They’re joined by 2 strong candidates for Europe, Senator Lynn Boylan and Councillor Daithí Doolan, who bring incredible track records of delivery and will stand up for you and your family in Europe on the issues that matter.

“Voting for Sinn Féin the Local and European elections is the first step to getting a change of government, to creating the momentum to elect a government that will sort out the housing crisis.

“That is why voting for change in the local elections and European elections is so important on Friday.  It is the first step in getting this government out of office.”