GE2024: Here's what Ireland's highest polling parties are promising about housing

Friday, 29 November 2024 is a pretty big day in Ireland. It offers the chance for us to have our say in the next government, but it's understandable if you're not entirely sure where your vote is going or who you should vote for.

Much has happened in the term of this current Government, which came into power in 2020. We've come through everything from a full scale pandemic and two US presidential elections since then, not to mention skyrocketing inflation and an ever-changing housing market.

That housing market is, understandably, one of the main concerns of younger voters. The rising cost of houses and wages that can't keep up has made it incredibly difficult for many to own a home, so addressing these issues will be on the forefront of their mind when casting a ballot.

With that in mind, we looked into what the top polling parties are promising to do about this crucial issue. It's worth noting that each of these promises are reflective of what is found in their respective manifestos and the parties are arranged based on how they were polling at the time of writing.

Fine Gael

The party that has currently been in government for the longest period of time, Fine Gael's approach to housing has been one of the most commonly discussed issues. Increasing the number of houses and providing more affordable housing is at the core of their campaign.

In their manifesto, Fine Gael has said the party is "committed to tackling housing shortages, reducing barriers to homeownership, and ensuring that rental options are fair and sustainable." Here are some of the key promises the party has made:

• 300,000 homes by 2030, at a cost of €40billion
• 9,000 affordable homes for purchase by 2030
• 12,000 new social homes annually by 2030
• Help To Buy scheme raised to €40,000
• 2,500 new student beds each year

Fianna Fáil

Having been part of the current coalition Government with Micháel Martin acting as Taoisigh on a rotating basis, Fianna Fáil will be looking to play an even bigger role in the next government. To achieve this, they have also put housing at the forefront of the campaign in the hope it will help them increase their number of seats.

The party's manifesto says that their aim is to "accelerate the momentum in home building" and help those who want to buy or rent a home. Here are the key measures they have promised to take:

• Bring supply up to 60,000 a year by 2030
• 10,000 new affordable units a year
• 12,000+ new social housing units per year
• Create an 'above the shop' refurbishment grant of €100,000
• Extend the Help to Buy scheme to 2030
• €2,500 tax credit for legal, surveying and valuation fees for first-time buyers
• Double the renters' tax credit

Sinn Féin

If you were to cast your memory back to 2020, many were saying that there was an opportunity missed by Sinn Féin not putting forward more candidates. They received a huge proportion of votes for the candidates they did put forward, but the face an entirely different challenge this year in making their way into government.

Housing has been one of the points that party leader Mary Lou McDonald has been focusing on during the campaign, and their housing plan is titled "A Home of Your Own" in their manifesto. Here's what they promise potential voters:

• 300,000 new homes by 2029, including 75,000 social houses
• Of these, 25,000 will be for affordable rent and 25,000 for affordable purchase
• Phasing out Help to Buy over five years
• 100% redress to everyone affected by building defects
• A referendum on enshrining housing rights in the Constitution

Social Democrats

The 2020 general election was a positive one for the Social Democrats, as the 2015-formed party doubled their number of seats from three to six. Achieving a similar result this year would be a major achievement for party leader Holly Cairns, and could make the party a crucial kingmaker for any prospective government.

Their campaign focuses on "getting the basics right," and housing is one of their main centre points. If the party is to form part of a government, some of the issues below are among their "deal breakers":

• 50,000 new affordable purchase homes
• Replace rent pressure zones with a rent reference system
• Use Compulsory Purchase Orders to acquire development land for housing
• End no-fault evictions
• Three-year rent freeze

Labour

If it feels like the Labour party used to be talked about more than they are now, that's because the party achieved unprecedented success in the 2011 general election and formed part of a Fine Gael-led coalition. The last two elections have not been quite as successful for the party, so their hope is that a mood for change among young voters would be enough to see them back in power.

Party leader Ivana Bacik has said there is a desire for "positive change," and that housing is the civil rights movement of this generation. As for what is included in their manifesto, some of the main points on housing are:

• 50,000 new homes annually over the next five years
• Use €6billion of Apple Tax money to create a State-owned construction company and build on State land
• Immediate rent freeze
• Key worker housing in main cities for essential public servants
• Refurbish HSE vacant property to use as homes for health workers

Green Party

The Green Party's campaign centres around this being a "decade of change," based on findings that the next 10 years are crucial for world leaders to make any kind of real progress on climate change. As they look to gain an even stronger presence in the Dáíl than in the 2020 election, which saw them play a crucial role in forming the Government, their plans on issues such as housing will need to be at the forefront of what they offer voters.

The party manifesto defines housing as a human and social right, and that if elected they will rely more on public housing. Here is what the main points from the party's manifesto are:

• Build 50,000+ new homes a year
• Of these, they will include 15,000 affordable homes and 12,000 social homes
• Renovation of at least 4,000 vacant or derelict buildings
• A new Minister of State for Regional cities
• Make the Help-to-Buy scheme available to renters who want to purchase their home from their landlord