Social Democrats Warn Government on Modular Homes Rental Plan, Citing Exploitation Risks

Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns has warned the Government that its modular homes plan risks throwing renters «to the wolves», particularly concerning units available via licensing agreements rather than under the rental tenancies board. She criticized the initiative, stating that young people are «exhausted» by the Coalition's housing plans and despair over the prospect of living in such units without standard tenancy protections.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin defended the Government's focus on housing supply, citing the «highest record since the State was founded» in new social housing units and recent sod turnings for 2,000 new homes. He dismissed Cairns's argument as «waffle» and highlighted Social Democrats councillors opposing housing developments. Cairns, however, questioned if Martin was convinced by his own «profoundly positive spin» given that over 5,500 children are homeless.

Labour's housing spokesperson Conor Sheehan called the plans «entirely unacceptable», fearing vulnerable renters could be forced into «sheds» without protections. Sinn Féin's Eoin Ó Broin expressed concern that exemptions for modular homes would extend beyond family use to private rental stock, leading to poor-quality, high-cost accommodation without tenancy rights. Both parties demanded full scrutiny of the regulations, with Rory Hearne of the Social Democrats calling the plan a «carte blanche for unscrupulous landlords to build back garden AirBnbs or substandard rental pods».