Simon Harris “trashed his own Government’s housing plan” in his Ard Fheis speech, according to Sinn Féin TD Eoin Ó Broin.
Describing him as a “wannabe Taoiseach”, the party’s housing spokesperson said Mr Harris’ conference speech “offers nothing new housing”.
“So, Simon Harris has finally broken his two-week silence on housing - but what has he said?” he said.
"He has effectively trashed his own Government's housing plan targets while promising to continue with same the failing policies set out in that plan.
"His Ard Fheis speech offered nothing new in terms of tackling rising homelessness, rising rents or rising house prices. He had nothing to say about how he was going to tackle the affordability crisis.”
He criticised the new Fine Gael leader’s assertion that the renter’s tax credit should be increased, suggesting “landlords will pocket the increase with rent hikes”.
Ó Broin calls for general election
Mr Ó Broin also argued extending the Help to Buy Scheme “will do nothing to increase supply or bring down the price of new homes”.
"What is needed, and what was absent from Simon Harris's speech, is a dramatic increase in the delivery of genuinely affordable homes,” he said.
“The Government's targets for social and affordable housing are too low and they are not meeting those targets.
"We need at least double the number of social and affordable homes that the Government's plan promises.
Simon Harris delivering his first address as Fine Gael at the party's 82nd Ard Fheis in Galway, 06/04/2024."We need an emergency ban on rent increase for three years along with a full month's rent back into every renter’s pocket.
“Only a general election, a change of Government and a change of housing plan can do that.”
Sinn Féin and other opposition parties quickly began calling for a general election following outgoing Taoiseach Leo Varadkar’s shock resignation.
Fine Gael, Fianna Fáil and the Green Party have all re-affirmed their commitment to seeing the Government run its full term.
Harris appointed Fine Gael
Higher Education Minister Harris was appointed the new leader of Fine Gael after being the sole nominee.
He is due to be elected Taoiseach when the Dáil returns from the Easter break on Tuesday, April 9th.
In his Ard Fheis address yesterday evening in Galway, Mr Harris said the Government “will move mountains to get the children out of the box room and into a home of their own”.
“We will build 250,000 homes over the next five years, we will build more starter homes for young people to buy,” he said.
According to the latest figures, homelessness rose to 13,531, a new record, including 4,027 children.
