Louth Labour candidate takes aim at government housing record
Jamie O’Hare committed to focussing on bringing vacant and derelict buildings back into use
A Labour candidate in Dundalk/Carlingford has criticised the government’s record in tackling housing and has committed to focussing on bringing vacant and derelict buildings back into use in urban areas and advocating for a more sensible approach to rural planning.
Labour candidate for Dundalk/Carlingford, Jamie O’Hare said:
"Canvassing across my electoral area, I constantly hear about the housing crisis. Families are trapped in insecure tenancies, adults are stuck living in their childhood bedrooms, and people are struggling to find a place to call home.
“It is unacceptable that in the middle of a housing crisis, Dundalk has so many vacant and derelict buildings.
“Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael in government have utterly failed to address this issue, allowing rents and house prices to skyrocket while homelessness figures continue to rise. This government’s failure on housing is a stark reminder that we need change now.
“Their policies are clearly not working, and it is time for a new approach.”
The Labour candidate said: “Instead of decisive action, the Government response to the disaster was the one-off Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant.
“We now know there were less than 100 drawdowns in 2023 of the grant. This is another example of tinkering around the edges of the housing disaster, Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil are focused on short-termism – not effective action.
"Labour has a clear vision to bring these buildings back into use. If elected, I will prioritise vacant and derelict properties, pursuing policies which ensure they are transformed into homes.
“Labour will fight tirelessly to bring empty homes back into use, and we will not stop until every family has a secure place to live. This is about more than just bricks and mortar; it’s about giving people the stability and security they deserve. The time for half-measures is over.”
Focussing on the rural part of his electoral area, the Labour candidate said there had to be a new approach to rural planning.
“So many young people who grew up in places like my native Ravensdale, are not able to build a life in these communities because of short-sighted planning laws.
“We need to see reforms that allows young people born in rural areas, able to build a future there, as long as they are prepared to build environmentally sustainable homes. To deny them that, simply does not make sense in the midst of a housing crisis.”