Labour party hits out at Troy over call for working people to get priority on social housing

Comments by Westmeath Minister of State Robert Troy suggesting that people who are working should be prioritised for social housing above those who aren't have been sharply criticised by the Labour Party.

Labour's housing spokesperson Conor Sheehan said this week that the "inappropriate and, frankly, ignorant comments" by the Fianna Fáil representative were "really disappointing".

As reported in last week's Westmeath Independent, Minister of State Troy said that, at a time of full employment, "we should send out a clear message: it pays to work."

He pointed out that, at present, "the main criteria" for being allocated social housing was longevity on the housing list.

"The whole question of whether you are working or not doesn't seem to come into the picture at all, which is very unfair and sends out the wrong message," said Minister of State Troy, who added that those who were able to work "should be working".

The comments have since been picked up by some national media outlets, with reports on them carried by RTÉ and The Journal earlier today (Monday).

Labour's Conor Sheehan, a TD for Limerick, issued a statement in which he said the remarks epitomised "the lack of understanding" and "group-think" the Government had demonstrated in relation to the housing crisis.

"It's clear that Minister Troy has never faced housing vulnerability, nor does he have any grasp on the fact that, in the Ireland of today, people from almost every section of society are living in housing insecurity," said Deputy Sheehan.

"As the Minister should well know, there is clear eligibility criteria when it comes to allocating social housing," his statement read.

"Anyone who is eligible is entitled to be considered in a fair and transparent way. If Government want to raise the income limit for access to social housing, the forthcoming Budget is the place to do that."

He went on to state that the average price of a three-bed semi detached house in Westmeath was now €340,000.

"With average rent nationwide now at €2,025, we know that those living in private rented accommodation are at huge risk of entering homelessness.

"We know that in 2024, the median weekly wage in Ireland was €730.89, so it's abundantly clear that many people who are working can no longer afford to keep a roof over their head when the cost of living increases are factored in," he said.

"Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael just don’t get it. There’s over 300,000 people behind on their energy bills right now, yet they are ruling out any energy credits.

"One in five children are living below the poverty line when housing costs are factored in and they want to give an untargeted VAT cut for the hospitality sector.

"Over 5,000 children live in homelessness, and this Government is considering tax breaks for developers in Budget 2026. It just doesn’t add up.

"So many of the problems in this country go back to the fact that there is no new housing plan to get Ireland building again.

"Has Minister Troy factored any of this in to his thinking before opening his mouth?" the Labour party representative concluded.