Election 2024: Comparing parties’ and candidates’ housing policies

By James Varley

With a general election imminent, an issue that is always at the forefront of voters’ and candidates’ minds is housing.

In this explainer, we will attempt to provide insight into current housing prices, the costs of and availability of rental properties, the matter of homelessness in Galway City and County, and how some of the some of the popular candidates plan on dealing with these issues.

The current picture

Stats relating to housing in Galway don’t make for easy reading, with the percentage of population increase being 3 per cent higher than total housing stock in Galway County, with a 2 per cent gap in Galway City.

The average price of a listing on Daft.ie is now €388,604 in Galway City (4.1 per cent increase from last year) and €301,410 in County Galway (7.2 per cent increase from last year).

Homelessness is also a key issue for many in the Galway constituencies, particularly in towns and in Galway City, with the number of people homeless in the West of Ireland increasing from 352 in September 2023 to 382 in September of this year.

With Galway City being the most densely populated urban area in that region, homeless charities, such as the Simon Community, will look to newly elected Galway West TDs to present plans to reduce these figures.

Wayne Stanley, Executive Director of the Simon Communities of Ireland, wants the next government to end homelessness by 2030.

“We are fortunate that the Housing Commission has provided a clear and comprehensive plan for success, and that there are funds available to the next Government to implement the plan fully.

“This is fortunate for the political party who leads the next Government, but it also means that if they fail to seize this opportunity to address the homelessness crisis, it will be an unforgivable dereliction of duty.”

What are the different stances on housing?

As part of their Election campaign, Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil have released their housing plans, where both have pledged to be building 60,000 houses per year by 2030.

Fine Gael party leader Simon Harris said they will use €10 billion of Apple tax money to fund this housing project. In July of this year, Fine Gael TD in Galway West, Hildegard Naughton, confirmed €5 million would be given to City (€3 million) and County (€2 million) Councils respectively to purchase and redevelop derelict properties in Galway.

Gráinne Seoige (FF) and Noel Grealish (IND), both candidates in Galway West, noted the difficulties that people are facing with getting planning permission, particularly those in rural areas, with Gráinne Seoige placing an emphasis on Connemara.

 “They want to move home, they want to build a house, they want to raise their kids in Connemara and ensure the future of the language in the Gaeltacht, but they can’t get planning permission,” Seoige said.

Noel Grealish also believes that there are a lack of qualified tradespeople to build these houses.

“A shortage of tradespeople will be a problem and it will only get worse in the next couple of years unless we deal with it as a matter of priority.  I have raised this situation on a regular basis both in the Dáil and with Ministers directly and I will continue to work on this issue if I am re-elected.”

Sinn Féin say they would abolish the ‘Help to buy’ scheme implemented and championed by the current government.

In their housing plan they focused on public housing, aiming to “immediately end the policy of long-term leasing for social housing delivery”. Speaking to Galway Bay FM last August, Councillor for Oranmore Athenry Louis O’ Hara believes that “delivery of social and affordable housing” is the only thing that’s going to address this crisis.

According to their manifestos both Labour and the Green Party plan on “building an average of at least 50,000 new homes a year over the next five years”, with both parties also focusing on delivering affordable social housing.

Speaking to The Galway Advertiser, Labour candidate in Galway West, Helen Ogbu, has also emphasised the need for improved private emergency homeless accommodations in the City of Galway.

“I call for an immediate audit of the private emergency accommodation providers and regular inspections of the properties to ensure they meet acceptable living standards. We must ensure that our most vulnerable citizens are treated with the respect and dignity they deserve.”

What about students?

In a statement to Galway Pulse, University of Galway Students Union President, Faye Ní Dhomhnaill criticised the current Government for their lack of action on student housing.

“The Government need to focus on building sustainable, purpose-built student housing. The answer we consistently hear from government on this issue is that: ‘It would take 5 years to fill the accommodation deficit.’ But why are we waiting around?

“The Government could have started building accommodation in 2020 and it would have been ready for the September intake of students. The Government needs to listen to its constituents and engage with students with what it is they need.”

Fine Gael has promised to increase renters tax credits from €1,000 to €1,500. Fianna Fáil have promised to “Progressively double the rent tax credit.”, with both Government parties placing a strong emphasis on converting renters to first-time buyers. Labour aims to “reduce cost rents by providing longer term financing of cost rental developments over 50 and 60 years.”

Sinn Féin are yet to release their manifesto but have assured to “cut rents and ban rent increases for three years.” While the Green Party says they will cut renters’ tax credit “in line with rental inflation” as well as introducing a renters’ deposit protection scheme where deposits get held by the Residents and Tenants Board (RTB).

To date, the Galway Pulse Team have not found or been aware of direct calls for any affordable student accommodation in Galway from General Election candidates in Galway.