Civil Servants Paying “Knock‑Down” Rents in Phoenix Park as Housing Pressures Mount Nationwide
Several civil servants, including retired officials, are living in State-owned homes in Dublin’s Phoenix Park at rents far below market value, some as low as €670 per year. The arrangement has sparked criticism over fairness, transparency, and public asset management, especially as Dublin rents continue to surge. Opposition politicians are calling for urgent review and reform of these preferential deals.
Aaron Joyce, Newswire, L.T.T Media; Newsdesk; January 15, 2026
Thousands of Short-Term Lets Lie Empty Amid Record Homelessness in Ireland: Policy, Data, and Debate
As Ireland enters 2026 with homelessness at record levels, new data has reignited debate over the role of short-term lettings in the housing crisis. Tens of thousands of properties remain tied up on platforms such as Airbnb, many with low occupancy rates, while more than 16,000 people, including over 5,000, children rely on emergency accommodation. With Government plans to introduce a national register for short-term lets later this year, questions remain over enforcement, compliance, and whether current measures will meaningfully return homes to the long-term rental market.