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TAOISEACH LEO VARADKAR says he does not have any issue with Ryanair or other companies buying up almost entire housing estates for their staff.
He said there is a big difference between companies like Ryanair bulk-buying houses and apartments compared to investment funds.
“We are building over 30,000 new homes now every year,” he said.
“If you think about it, that’s 70,000, 80,000 or 90,000 bedrooms every year so we are finally seeing housing being built on scale,” Varadkar said.
“We want to scale that up this year and next year as well because we do have a rising population and family sizes are getting smaller, so we need more housing and we are making progress,” he said.
“In relation to Ryanair specifically, I don’t think it is the worst thing that a company would buy accommodation for their staff. It’s not the first time this has happened, it has been happening for centuries,” the Taoiseach added.
“I think it is different to an investment fund, for example, buying up houses that could be bought by families.”
He was responding to criticism after 25 of the 28 units in a new development at Fostertown Place in Swords were purchased by Ryanair for their cabin crew.
The Taoiseach was speaking in Athenry where he opened BIA Innovator campus where €8 million has been provided in funding to assists start-up, micro and small food businesses in three state of the art buildings on the Teagasc complex.
He said these workers would also need housing and that some companies had been proactive in sourcing accommodation for generations.
“A lot of the people who work for Ryanair are local people and they are people living around Swords and living around towns around the airport and some of them live in my own constituency. The fundamental thing we need to ensure is there is enough housing for everyone to buy,” Varadkar said.
“A huge amount of housing is being built in Swords, the Fingal area, affordable schemes, cost rental schemes, a lot of that coming through and what we need to do when it comes to housing is instead of having people fighting over the pie, it’s about making sure the pie is big enough for everyone,” he said.
“One of the things I was delighted to see today was the number of first-time buyers drawing down their mortgage is at levels we have not seen since 2007. I was in my 20s in 2007 so it’s great to see we are back to that stage again where so many people are able to buy their own homes,” he added.
People Before Profit Fingal has condemned Ryanair’s purchase of the homes.
“Bulk purchasing by corporations and vulture funds must be banned from our society,” People Before Profit Swords representative Ollie Power said.
With reporting by Hayley Halpin
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Information is power and hogan has taken away the most basic human right! Access to information.
The first person commented how there was no sound (and has now removed their comment, there is sound!! ) imagine the frustration you felt when watching the video, that’s our lives every day. Frustrating. Tiring. Limiting.
Return our ‘sound’
Yet another botched decision. , the craziness continues .
The video tells the tale. This is a shameless government, dismantling the few decent services that give some degree of dignity to those in need of them.
ISL should be enshrined in the constitution with full protection of rights!
I know it’s racist but, why don’t we take a few grand out of the foreign aid budget?
Over half a billion, and much of it thrown into a black hole. it’s absolute lunacy. If anybody disagrees, can they tell me if Africa is getting better or worse?
Sometimes I really do hope there is a hell and I hope those like Hogan burn there for eternity. The man should not be allowed to be in charge of opening a door.
Unfortunately that is not the case. Nature is cruel.
Why was that comment “there is no sound” been removed, for all you know that person may be deaf, ok so we all say he made a joke, try understand what the people are saying without reading the text I can just about lipread can’t sign and I can’t hear. People who know me who comment on here will know I am deaf, and not taking the piss.
A very sensible comment Declan .
Why would you need sound? See the world the way deaf people do!
I could have used this service had I known about it,now that I have its closed,then I may not have got because the household income might be €2 over the limit.
€8m is all that’s needed here!
Was even borrowing it and putting it on the “slate” considered?
Typical of Ireland and it’s backward government,hitting the needy and taking from the people that need services most.it can sometimes be very difficult for deaf people to integrate into society and now they are being victimised by their own government by the closure if deaforward they must feel further away from the rest of society than ever.The government shouod be embarrassed and ashamed but one thing is for sure,they are not!
Why am I not surprised? Oh yes because I live in Ireland.
It is with great dismay I read about the cut in funding to this vital service for the deaf community. The video above clearly illustrates how this service is needed so as to ensure that members of the deaf community are able to interact with bodies such as hospitals, government agencies and utilities companies in a dignified manner and on the same basis as any member of the hearing community.
For the government to cut this funding is tantamount to denying members of the deaf community the ability to access such basic human rights as to health and education. It is discrimination at the most fundamental level where the effect (intended or otherwise) is to marginalise 5,000 citizens of this country. It cannot be justified by raising budgetary concerns where less vital expenditure could be cut in its place.
i want our ids back, i don’t want be isolated again, need break the barrier, where can i go ? and access to health care, education etc, i wont go to gp if there is no interpreter, they gave me wrong med or no information. i have enough suffer in my childhood so enough is enough.
Totally agree Michelle! This decision is BEYOND shocking and an insult to every deaf person in this country!
This decision by Minister Hogan confirms his level of ignorance in dealing with people who have special needs. It’s obvious he neither understands nor cares about people who are challenged everyday in their efforts to live a normal life. These special services are a real and measurable lifeline for thousands of ordinary Irish citizens. “It’s a long road that hasn’t got a bend” and this decision will come back to haunt you Mr. Hogan
have your say