In 2021, the acquisition of 112 homes in Hollystown, Dublin 15, by an investment fund rightly caused anger across the State. These houses - the ones the Minister talks about all the time as being essential to help young families to get a family home - were bought up in bulk by an investor. They are now rented out for at least €2,600 per month. Simon Harris has publicly stated that the bulk purchasing of homes needed for first-time buyers cannot be tolerated. That is on the record. Department of Finance figures state that by the end of 2025, over 2,000 homes have been bulk purchased since the Government first brought in measures it said would end the practice. Simon Harris is not only the Tánaiste; he is also the Minister for Finance. He can change this in the morning if he is really serious about this not being tolerated. The fact is that family homes are still being bought up in bulk despite the Minister's attempts to portray that the Government is doing something to end this practice. What chance have workers and first-time buyers got to buy a house for themselves and their families? It is as clear as day that the Government's policies have failed and the repeated promises to stop investment funds bulk purchasing family homes have failed. Properties are being snatched up from under the noses of ordinary workers and families who are struggling to put a roof over their heads. This Government's inaction is allowing these vulture funds to drive up house prices and profits further by renting out these houses to the same people they outbid at extortionate rates because they cannot find anywhere to live. The people want the right to buy their own home, which is a right that generations have had. That is being made more difficult by vulture funds. The motion is clear: we must end bulk buying of family homes by vulture funds. The Minister can do that in the morning if he wants to.

Sentiment score: -0.12