Free childcare and vacant homes tax among proposals to be put forward at Soc Dems conference

Inflation and housing issues are expected to dominate the party's conference this weekend

NO FEE FOR 1ST REPRO. Róisín Shortall: 'Primarily, we need a mini budget now to provide some measure of relief to those who are really struggling to put food on the table and pay their bills'. File Picture: Paul Sharp

Free childcare, the immediate introduction of a vacant homes tax and a three-year ban on rent increases are among proposals being put forward at the Social Democrats conference this weekend.

The party, which will hold its national conference on Friday and Saturday, will also call for an emergency budget to tackle the cost-of-living crisis.