‘Fianna Fail laid foundations for housing crisis’
Sinn Fein accuse Micheal Martin’s party of hypocrisy
SINN Fein slammed Fianna Fail’s record on housing yesterday – as election fever gripped the Dail.
Eoin O Broin accused Micheal Martin of “sheer hypocrisy” over his inaction on the crisis.
The housing spokesman claimed Fianna Fail’s performance during their 14 years in Government and seven years in opposition proved the issue was a low priority.
The crisis could be a key battleground for the two parties as they try to displace Fine Gael if a rumoured election goes ahead this year.
Mr O Broin said: “Our current housing and homeless crisis was created by Fianna Fail and is being perpetuated by Fine Gael.
“Despite all the chatter to the media the reality is that Micheal Martin did not prioritise housing in the confidence and supply negotiations and he has not sought any changes to Fine Gael’s housing budget.
“During their last tenure in government they delivered on average 5,523 real social homes per year.
“The number of households on local authority waiting lists jumped from 27,000 to 98,000 – a jump of 258%. This was coupled with an increase in the level of rent subsidy dependence over the same period from 36,000 to 113,000 that represents an increase of
76,818 households, 209%.
“In 1997 the annual cost of rent subsidies was €90million. By the end of 2011 it had increased to €620million, an increase of 588%. “Fianna Fail, between 1998 and 2011, had more resources available to them than at any other time in the history of the state and they failed to adequately deliver social housing. “Just like the current government, Fianna Fail’s under-delivery of social housing led to spiralling waiting lists and a growing over-reliance on the private rented sector.
“Micheal Martin sat at the cabinet table when all these policy decisions were being taken. [Fianna Fail’s time] in opposition, especially during the confidence and supply agreement, has been littered with U-turns and policy contradictions from what is clearly stated in their manifesto.”