Mac’s Deli in Letterkenny require a Chef with Patisserie Experience (part-time position)

Job Description

We are currently recruiting for a motivated Chef with patisserie experience to join our team. The hours/shifts are very attractive (daytime) with one weekend shift which can be either a Saturday or a Sunday. Shifts are generally fixed although flexibility is required to cover annual leave and/or sick leave for other chefs.

We are looking for someone who wants to develop their career and progress their own learning.

As Chef you would be responsible for producing a variety of food dishes to the highest standards of preparation, production and presentation.

Key Accountabilities will include:

• Food Hygiene
• Health and safety
• Customer Service
• Hospitality
Candidates will have the following skills and experience:
• Minimum of 1 years’ experience as a Commis Chef plus a good track record within Catering environment
• Experience in a variety of cuisines
• Experience of menu design and implementation and food costing
• Good working knowledge & experience of HACCP
• Interest and ability to train others

If you think position is for you then please send your CV and cover letter to macsmace@eircom.net

Aware and Aware NI will hold a joint talk in Letterkenny on September 13 – the mental health organisations announced.

The talk will be held in the Radisson Blu Hotel, Letterkenny, where refreshments will be served from 6.30pm before the two-hour‘Let’s Talk About It…A Conversation About Depression’ will commence from 7-9pm with keynote speaker, Dr Patrick McKeon.

Director of Services at Aware, Brid O’Meara, said the issue of depression was affecting one in every ten people across Ireland.

She said: “It impacts on our thoughts, feelings, energy, sleep and self-esteem. Depression can be a very isolating condition but with the appropriate supports, recovery is possible.

“We would urge anyone who is impacted by depression, whether directly themselves or indirectly as a loved one, to consider attending this event and availing of the opportunity to access information, support and importantly, understanding from those who are going through similar experiences.”

The event will also provide key services available to those suffering from depression and bipolar disorder – with an Aware service user providing a personal perspective on their experience of depression.

Eamonn Cannon says Bonagee want to make amends for their near miss of last season.

A ropey start to last season ultimately cost the Dry Arch side, who only missed out on promotion via a play-off loss to Rathmullan Celtic in May.

Yesterday, experienced midfielder Cannon was to the fore as Bonagee overcame Drumkeen United in extra time to reach the next round of the Brian McCormick Cup.

“It’s nice to get into the next round,” Cannon said.

“Drumkeen put it up to us. We wanted a good start to the season and we got the win.

“We didn’t come out at all in the second half, but we dug deep and kept them out after they did score.”

Listen to the full interview below …

Daniel O’Donnell has revealed that playing for Pope Francis at Croke Park is as close as he’s going to get to playing GAA for his beloved Donegal.

Speaking before taking to the stage in front of 80,000 people, Daniel said he was honoured to be playing for the pontiff.

The singer said “Croke Park is a mecca for hurling and football in Ireland.

“I never got to play any football with Donegal so this is as near as I’m going to get to play football for Donegal at Croke Park.

“It’s incredible to be involved and I’m very honoured to be asked to do this show in the presence of Pope Francis,” he said.

Daniel played alongside a host of other artists including the Riverdance group, Andrea Bocelli and Nathan Carter.

Daniel received an amazing response when he sang ‘Let Your Love Flow.’

Donegal music fans heading to Electric Picnic in Stradbally, Co Laois, next weekend (Friday, August 31, to Sunday, September 2) should be on the lookout for fake tickets, An Garda Siochana has warned. 

Fake print-at-home tickets for Electric Picnic are being sold online.

The print-at-home ticket format has not been used for Electric Picnic and we would recommend that the public do not buy from unauthorised or unknown sources.

Electric Picnic festival

An Garda Síochána is also warning that third-party payment sites are being used to take money off unsuspecting fans in these scams.

Detective Chief Superintendent Pat Lordan, of the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau, today said: “We are working closely with the organisers to prevent fans being left disappointed by the activities of criminals. It is important to stress that the print-at-home format is not being used for Electric Picnic and that the public only buy tickets from authorised sources.”

Here’s the lineup for some of the main stage below;

MAIN STAGE

Friday

10.40pm-midnight – Kendrick Lamar

9-10pm – Walking on Cars

7.30-8.30pm – Chvrches

6-7pm – Ash

5-5.30pm – Brand New Friend

Saturday

12.15-1.30am – Massive Attack

10.30-11.30pm – NERD

8.45-9.45pm – Dua Lipa

7-8pm – Gavin James

5.15-6.15pm – Mavis Staples

3.30-4.30pm – Gomez

1.45-2.45pm– Hudson Taylor

Sunday

10.30pm-midnight – The Prodigy

8.45-9.45pm – Picture This

7-8pm – George Ezra

5.30-6.30pm – Nile Rodgers & Chic

4.15-5pm – Garbage

2.30-3.30pm – Inner Circle

1-2pm – Dublin Gospel Choir

The 3rd annual Peadar O’Donnell’s Islanders Conference will be hosted on Arranmore Island from 14th–16th September.

This theme of this year’s conference is Oileánaigh – Céimeanna Chun Tosaigh (Islanders – Moving Forward) as we focus on how best to progress our aim of halting the depopulation of the island and providing social and employment opportunities for islanders.

Born in 1893 in Meenmore, outside Dungloe, Irish Republican, Peadar O’Donnell was a prominent social activist, a human rights campaigner and a prolific writer.

by Nora Flanagan

From 1916 to 1918 he was headmaster of No. 1 National School on Arranmore Island. It was during this time that he developed his appetite for socialism.

Setting aside one hour per day to his writing and becoming actively involved in the trade union movement, O’Donnell soon developed his public persona that would see him become one of the foremost political thinkers of the twentieth century.

Among the educational issues he campaigned for were funding, policies, pay and conditions. Heavily involved in the trade union movement, Peadar advocated on behalf of Arranmore islanders who were forced to emigrate to Scotland to work as tattie hokers. In June 1918 the progressively public social activist chaired a meeting on Arranmore and with the islanders he established the Arranmore Migratory Labourers’ Union.

Peadar also formed strong connections with the Donegal islands of Inis Fraoch and Inis Caorach, the latter being the setting of his well-received novel Islanders (1927).

Nora Flanagan, one of the organisers of the Peadar O’Donnell’s Islanders weekend said: “The aim of the conference is to stay close to Peadar’s ideals of fighting injustices. Our focus this year rests on how to progress planning for halting the depopulation of our island by exploring key areas such as language, locality and education”.

Our conference theme Oileánaigh – Céimeanna Chun Tosaigh: Islanders – Moving Forward is inspired by Peadar O’Donnell’s sense of productive action and will emphasise how we as islanders can champion progress during an era of change and challenge.

Building on the success of last year’s conference, which generated respected discussion of potential employment opportunities for Arranmore Island, our guest speakers this year will explore how language, locality and education can offer new views of island living in the modern era. As we celebrate Bliain na Gaeilge we are reminded of the old Irish proverb “Tír gan Teanga, Tír gan Anam” and how language is the heart and soul of our heritage and culture.

This year we will explore how to harness our unique island resources, including language and locality, and connect people at home and around the world to share information about the preservation and promotion of our island through employment and education.

The celebrations will be opened on Friday 14th September at 7pm in Ionad an Chrois Bhealaigh by well-known storyteller, writer, actor, musician and former Donegal Person of the Year, Fergus Cleary. The official opening will be followed by a welcome reception with music by Arranmore’s Green Island, guest musicians and seán nós dancing to which we invite one and all.

The conference venue is Boyle’s Hall, Leabgarrow. Saturday will host the conference keynote speakers discussing various topics such as education, language and social opportunity. Our highly respected speakers include: John Boyle (INTO), Seán Ó Longáin (Barrister and former CEO of Donegal ETB), Dr Cassie Smith-Christmas (Research Fellow, NUI Galway), Bernadette Devlin McAliskey, (STEP), Anna Ní Ghallachoir,(Chairperson, Údarás na Gaeltachta), Ethel Buckley (Deputy General Secretary, SIPTU), Joe McHugh (Minister of State and Government Chief Whip). The conference will be chaired by Dónal Donnelly, author and activist and Dr Eílis Flanagan, NUI Galway.

Fiddle workshop will be provided by renowned Donegal fiddle player, Martin McGinley on Saturday from 11am-1pm and booking is essential for this workshop. To conclude the weekend celebrations a concert featuring The Donegal Youth Orchestra under conductor Vincent Kennedy, The Errigal Groove Orchestra and The Arranmore Pipe Band will take place in Ionad an Chrois Bhealaigh at 1pm.

We would like to thank all our sponsors for their generosity: BIM FLAGS; Donegal County Council; Donegal Arts Council; Seamus Rodgers; SIPTU; Údarás na Gaeltachta; Arranmore Red Ferry; Arranmore Blue Ferry; CFFAM; An Comharchumann Árainn Mhóir.

Further information available on Facebook page: Peadar O’Donnell’s Islanders/phone: 0878047032. https.//podislanders.home.blog/

Donegal native Adrian Delap followed in the footsteps of local soccer players, in years gone by, when he scored at the Brandywell on Friday night – but he is adamant that ‘there is still a long way to go’. 

The 19-year-old striker, who was brought on after 54 minutes to replace Ally Roy, scored a bizarre goal to open his account for the Candy Stripes – appealing for a penalty only to realise the ball had already travelled beyond the goalkeeper.

Delap raced onto Aaron Splaine’s pass and, with Delap having been taken down, the ball got past the St Pat’s goalkeeper Brendan Clarke.

“I have no idea what happened to be honest, I don’t know,” he laughed. “I turned around to claim for a penalty and I saw Ronan Hale running towards me and, from then, I just went sort of crazy to be fair,” he said.

Adrian Delap

Last years Ulster Senior League Player of the Year has been impressing his manager this season in training and was given the call when City’s main striker was hauled off with a suspected shoulder injury.

“You hope that your chance comes but whenever you’re on the bench you believe that most of the starting eleven will finish it out. Thankfully, Kenny (Shiels) give me the shout today and I could help the team some way.”

It was a case of job done on Friday night from Delap’s point-of-view as he attempts to nail down a more featured role in the senior team.

“Whenever you come off the bench you want to make an impact of some sort and, thankfully, I did that scoring a goal.

“You have to take confidence from whatever way it comes, but hopefully Ally (Roy) will be raring to go again soon because we need everybody in the team pulling in the one direction,” he added.

Born in Ray, between Ramelton and Rathmullan, Delap managed to maintain the Donegal connection, with yet another native from the county scoring for the Brandywell outfit.

Followed by a chuckle, the 19-year-old said: “We’ll see what happens, there is still a long way to go, but, hopefully, I can get a run in the team and see where it goes from there.”

A Norwegian-born goalkeeper Sean McDermott, whose father hails from Donegal, has been named in the Republic of Ireland senior squad.

McDermott has been called up by Martin O’Neill for next month’s UEFA Nations League games against Wales and Poland.
McDermott plays for Kristiansund BK in Norway’s Eliteseruen.
The 25-year-old qualifies through his Donegal-born father, Terence, who is a native of Mountcharles.
He has represented Ireland at Under-17, U-19 and U-21 level.
The ‘keeper joined Arsenal in 2009 from IK Våg and was loaded to Leeds United in 2012 for a month, the same year he left Arsenal.
McDermott joins Shane Duffy and Ciaran Clark, who have family in Donegal.
Captain Seamus Coleman is also in the panel, but there is no place for Dundalk’s in-form Michael Duffy.
O’Neill spoke at the weekend how he would like to call Duffy into the squad, but the player is awaiting international clearance.
Former Finn Harps player Shaun Williams – now with Millwall – is in the squad.

NUI Galway Students’ Union and GMIT Students’ Union have strongly criticised prices of ‘luxury’ student accommodation as Donegal students prepare to make the move to the city. 

Thousands of student from across the country flood into the popular university city every year, with a large proportion coming from Donegal.

This comes after new student accommodation has been advertised on the market at €250 per week in the city centre and from another complex directed towards students on Bohermore at a price of €200 per week.

Galway Students’ Unions condemn extortionate rent prices of €250 per week

Aaron Burke, President of GMIT Students’ Union, said high prices are putting huge pressure on families.

He added: “Students are not cash cows and this can bring extreme pressure on both parents and students, especially when people are struggling to stay in college.

The rate of the grant has not increased since 2012 yet rental prices have increased year on year for six years straight. This kind of accommodation far exceeds the already high rental prices that exist in the city.”

Megan Reilly, President of NUI Galway Students’ Union, added: “We cannot stand by these luxury student accommodation providers taking advantage of the current crisis. At this rate, people could be paying up to €1,250 a month for one room in one apartment; some people wouldn’t even pay that on their mortgage monthly.

At the other end of the spectrum, we have students who are living in hostels or commuting hours to go to college because they can’t afford to live in Galway.”

Both Unions, together with the One Galway Movement, are planning a Crisis Campout in Eyre Square on Tuesday the 11^th of September to shed light on the need for purpose-built student housing and social housing in general.

A Killybeg’s playwright is one of three writers across the country to have his work chosen for ‘New Writing Week 2018: Path to the Stage’ by Dublin’s, New Theatre.  

Ultan Pringle’s play ‘Salt’ is about a family crumbling after the son, Liam – a promising athlete – breaks his leg in an accident. The mother, Deirdre, is an alcoholic who tries desperately to hide her addiction and hold the family together despite being the one tearing it apart.

Ultan Pringle (Facebook)

It’s about family and the bonds that hold us and bind us and can separate us. It’s about how the past can eat at us and how we can try valiantly to avoid facing it.

Pringle, speaking after being selected, told the The New Theatre: “I think that this opportunity to explore my play along with a talented group of theatre-makers is invaluable.

“To hear a play read out loud is always a learning experience and to get to do it in this fantastic little theatre is a dream,” he said.

“I hope that getting to work with the team at the New Theatre will help me refine ‘Salt’ as a play and help me to develop as a writer.”

St Johnston U11s travelled to Belfast on Sunday to take on Instonians in the U11 All-Ireland final.

After winning the league and cup in the Northwest this year again (their fourth in a row), the Saints’ hopes were high.
On winning the toss Saints skipper Harry Pearson asked Instonians to bat.
The Belfast side were reeling early on at 9 for 2, due to excellent bowling from Harry and Daniel Gallagher who took a wicket each.
After that the Instonians skipper was joined at the crease by Ireland U15 starlet Amy Hunter and these two batted superbly taking the score to 150 until Kaylee Barnard caught her in front for lbw for 59.
Their skipper ended with an excellent 93 not out.
At half time, needing 197 to win, the Saints were elated in the changing rooms with the surprise of current Irish internationals Gary Wilson and Paul Stirling being present to give a good team talk.
This rallied the mini Saints and despite losing Pratham Goud early, Harry and Sam Macbeth hit the boundary on regular occasions.
With the Saints now back in the game big time, it took an excellent bowling spell from the Irish U15 girl to finally get rid of Harry for a well crafted 39. Wickets fell in regularly after this and only for some big blows from Emma Macbeth “21” at the end saw saints end up 105.
This is a significant achievement for the only cricket club in Donegal and much credit and recognition should be given to their coach David Macbeth and his assistant Don Pearson.
A great game was had and the St Johnston kids really placing the North-West on the cricket map.
It was nice to have Internationals Paul Stirling and Gary Wilson present for the day and present the medals.

It was three days of tasting, chewing, sipping, munching and above all else – great craic.

The 2018 A Taste of Donegal Food Festival marked the tenth anniversary of the event and boy was it a huge success.

More than 130 exhibitors from across the country descended on Donegal Town last weekend for the North-West’s biggest food festival.

Led by a host of celebrity chefs including Brian McDermott, Gary O’Hanlon and Kevin Dundon, not even a hint of rain could dampen the spirits of those who came along.

And with more than 20,000 people attending over the three days of the event, word of this brilliant event is spreading fast from Carrick to Cork.

The festival will make a welcome return in 2019 but, for the meantime, take a look at this super round-up of this year’s festival.

Watch the highlight reel here:

Fans of Sage Restaurant have had disappointing news today as the Letterkenny restaurant announced the kitchen has closed for the final time. 

The restaurant on Port Road was reopened under new management in April but, despite introducing a new menu and extended opening times, the business has struggled to survive through the summer.

Restaurant Sage has been a popular destination for many years for theatre-goers and customers seeking good local food.

Sadly, the team have issued a notice on Facebook to say the time has come to close its doors.

Restaurant Sage

The announcement said: “It is with regret and sadness we announce that Restaurant Sage has closed.

“We were hopeful that, following an extensive refurbishment programme last year and the appointment of a new management team earlier this year, we could sustain the business but now feel, in current trading conditions, this is not going to happen within an economically viable timeline.

“We take this opportunity to thank our hardworking and dedicated staff, suppliers and, of course, our loyal customers who have all supported us over the past 5 years.”

Customers who have vouchers for Sage are asked to contact the restaurant.

Donegal Daily has another great giveaway this week from top cinema Eclipse Cinemas Lifford/Strabane. This week, one lucky reader can win two movie tickets and two hot dogs to enjoy at Extras!

The brand new Extras food counter has become a go-to area for moviegoers and visitors to at Eclipse Cinemas Lifford/Strabane this summer.

Extras @ Eclipse provides extras that you would not expect in your average cinema. In addition to an elegant modern sit down area, cinema viewers can now enjoy gourmet hot dogs, pizza, loaded nachos, Italian coffee plus pastries that can be enjoyed in the cinema screens.

Extras is also licensed to sell wine and offers an innovative idea “Pour @ the Pictures” where customers can enjoy wine in the cinema screen. This will be allowed at special advertised screenings. Follow Eclipse on Facebook for the latest Pour @ the Pictures events news.

The Society of St Vincent de Paul has revealed a 20% increase in the number of parents contacting it for help with back-to-school costs this summer.

The charity said the number of calls to two of its regional offices had increased considerably compared to last year.

As many schools across Donegal reopened their doors this week, the charity said it was expecting to receive more than 6,000 calls from parents by the end of the month.

The organisation is calling for the capitation grant, which was cut in 2010, to be restored.

It said schools were being forced to seek voluntary contributions from parents for school running costs, which is adding additional pressure.

The charity also said a delay in processing the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance had placed additional pressure on families.

SVP Social Policy Officer Marcella Stakem said: “August is the busiest month for school costs in SVP and calls continue to come in this week from worried parents.

“We know this time of year is stressful for most families as they try to meet the costs of uniforms, books and voluntary contributions, and that these costs bear most heavily on families with limited incomes.”

The SVP also said that the cost of transition year had become “a significant source of stress for parents”.

“Transition year costs can be significant, particularly if a family has more than one child in secondary school, ” Ms Stakem said.

“TY has lots of social and educational benefits for students, but as it becomes mandatory in more and more schools, the Department of Education have to seriously examine how the cost impacts on low-income families and put in place measures to promote participation.”

In a statement, the Department of Social Protection said payments had been paid to more than 127,000 families and that 12,000 applications were currently being processed.

It said: “At present, the department is receiving approximately 500 new applications a day for the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance.

“The department apologises to customers who are waiting to hear on the status of their applications and asks them to bear with us, while we work to process these applications as quickly as possible.”

Thousands of excited and nervous children and teens all over Donegal are having their first days in new schools this week as the 2018/19 schools year begins. 

The first day in new surroundings is a memorable moment for all young people, whether it’s pre-school, primary or secondary school. It’s also a time for celebrating an education milestone and a proud moment for parents and families.

As students step out in their pristine uniforms and new schoolbags it is a chance for families and teachers to take photographs that are treasured for many years to come.

Donegal Daily will be sharing ‘Back to School’ picture specials throughout this week, so we are calling on School Principals and class teachers to send in your photos to be shared all across the North West and to the Donegal diaspora through our site.

Good luck to all local students on their first day back to school this week.

To send in your photographs, email info@donegaldaily.com

Donegal band In Their Thousands have been tipped to be a huge success as they get set to release their first album later this year.

The alternative rock band have been busy touring Ireland and the rest of Europe while finishing their debut album – produced by Tommy McLaughlin, who has also produced Derry’s SOAK and Dublin’s Villagers.

The four-piece band, which is made up of two brothers, their first cousin, and a lifelong friend, have just released a new single ‘Acrasia’, which can be heard in the video above.

Speaking about the new single, they told Entertainment.ie: “Acrasia is a word used in philosophy to describe the state of mind where a person is acting against what they know to be ‘right’. The concept for the song came out of that general idea.”

Their next gig is set to be played in Dunfanaghy, Co Donegal, at the Holy Trinity Church on September 14.

A former window cleaner who makes breath-taking pictures by using his finger to draw on steamed up windows has been accepted by the Royal Ulster Academy in Belfast.

Jim Osborne discovered his talent while boiling his kettle at his Co Donegal home.

He began scribbling with his finger on the condensation on his kitchen window and soon an image appeared which he took a photo of.

He framed the picture and presented it to his brother Tony as a present for his 50th birthday.

Word soon spread of Jim’s talent and he began to churn out more and more of the unique pictures.

Jim, now aged 61 and from Dunfanaghy, laughs “I have no training and if I had double glazing in my house I probably would never have discovered this talent. It’s my life now and I just love doing it and seeing where it takes me.”

He has had his work displayed in several galleries but to have one of his pictures, ‘Walkies’, accepted by the Royal Ulster Academy is the pinnacle of his career to date.

“It’s not about the money as much as I have to survive. But to be recognised by the people at the Royal Ulster Academy is what it is all about.

“To have your work endorsed and recognised by them is something that I simply never thought would happen in my wildest dreams,” he said.

Jim admits that he could do twenty drawings and only be happy with one of them.

“The slip of a finger could ruin what could potentially be something that could be very good but you have to accept that.

“The thing is that each one is unique and captures a unique moment in time,” he said.

A number of other Donegal artists including Philip Mackey, Christy Keeney, Brian Gallagher and Emer Smith have also had their work chosen to be displayed by the Royal Ulster Academy this year.

The 137th annual exhibition of the Royal Ulster Academy takes place from October 19th, 2018 to January 6th at the Ulster Museum in Botanic Gardens, Belfast.

Dogs from all over Donegal (and their owners!) are invited to an exciting charity Dog Show at Castle Grove Country House Hotel this weekend. 

The expansive lawns of this Letterkenny hotel will be a dog’s paradise on Saturday 1st September as dogs of all breeds and sizes enjoy a fun day out in aid of Irish Guide Dogs and Animals In Need Donegal.

Castle Grove Dog Show. Photo: Vanessa Brady

The top draw of this day out is the amazing array of prizes on offer for winning pooches. Category winners get their own trophies and their owners get fantastic vouchers to treat themselves too.

With a BBQ, family fun activities and a raffle, this day promises to be a great Saturday afternoon for all.

Castle Grove Dog Show. Photo: Vanessa Brady

Competition Categories include:

• Small
• Medium
• Large
• Best Dressed
• Best Owner Lookalike
• Best Overall (judged from each category above)

Do you think your dog has what it takes to win? There is still time to register by contacting Castle Grove on Tel: 0749151118 Email: reservations@castlegrove.com or Message on Facebook @castlegrove1695

The cost of entry is €10 per dog. All proceeds from this event will be donated to support the Irish Guide Dogs Association and Animals In Need Donegal.

Beneficiaries of Castle Grove Dog Show

Guest judge on the day is Dog Groomer Noel Friel, with special guest Jennifer Doherty advocating the importance of Guide Dogs. Jennifer has recently worked on an awareness and fundraising campaign for Irish Guide Dogs in honour of her first guide dog O.J.

Through charity events such as the Castle Grove Dog Show, funds can be raised to train a pup to become a Guide Dog or Assistance Dog and bring life-changing benefits to people with blindness or autism.

Animals in Need are a voluntary, non profit animal charity who rescue stray and abandoned animals in Co. Donegal.

Castle Grove Dog Show. Photo: Vanessa Brady

All are welcome to come along and take part in the Castle Grove Dog Show from 2pm-5pm on Saturday 1st September. Dogs must be pre-registered to compete and all dogs must be kept on leashes please.

Don’t miss this family fun day – it will be pawsitively great!

Check out the Facebook event for more information and updates: Castle Grove Dog Show

The stability of the Irish economy is under threat due to the housing crisis perpetuated by Fine Gael, according to Donegal Sinn Fein Deputy Pearse Doherty. 

Doherty TD has today hit out at the government’s action in response to the housing crisis and said that the economy and society at large is at risk as a result.

Teachta Doherty said: “The recent report from ‘The Economist’ on housing in Ireland paints a picture that Irish citizens are all too familiar with.

“They are yet another voice in the chorus pointing out that house prices are highly inflated in comparison to incomes. A European Union report placed rents in Dublin among the 6 highest in global cities, alongside New York, London, and Tokyo.

“Bizarrely, today also sees the publication of an AIB report that has somehow found that international investors, encouraged by Fine Gael tax breaks, are doing Irish renters a favour by hoovering up available supply and charging at extortionate rates

“This is a ludicrous suggestion. With 10,000 of our fellow citizens homeless, and a cost of living crisis sapping incomes, Irish people should not have to rely on the whims of millionaire developers around the world to live in a decent home at an affordable price.

“The Irish government have a responsibility to provide safe, affordable housing for people here. However, Fine Gael have created a double edged crisis in Irish housing.

“Over the course of almost a decade, in which they have refused to invest in housing and in Irish society, they have allowed supply to fall way behind what is needed. Furthermore, the supply that does become available is hoovered up by millionaire developers.

“In the coming Budget, they have a chance to change this. Sinn Féin believe renters are in dire need of emergency help from their government, and there must be real investment in public and affordable housing.”