Government accused of ‘two-fingered salute’ over youth housing video

Sinn Fein finance spokesman Pearse Doherty speaking to media at Leinster House, Dublin (Brian Lawless/PA)

The Government has been accused of a “two-fingered salute” to an entire generation after it shared advice to adults on how to cope with moving back into the family home.

Sinn Féin finance spokesman Pearse Doherty said the video, created by the SpunOut youth organisation and shared by the Department of Housing, was “patronising”.

Speaking during Leaders’ Questions, he said: “Demeaning, hurtful, insulting and a two-fingered salute to an entire generation.

“These are the words people are using to describe the decision by the Minister’s Government to share a video advising people how to cope with moving back into the family home.”

Mr Doherty said people in their 20s, 30s and 40s are being forced to move back in with their parents because of Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael’s “mess” on housing policy.

Moving back in with family after living out of home can take some time to get used to. It’s okay to need & ask for support. For resources and advice see Supports Guide for Young People https://t.co/7lKHQW8wYo pic.twitter.com/shjtp0TsxQ

— Department of Housing, Local Government & Heritage (@DeptHousingIRL) December 6, 2025

He questioned: “Did anybody in Government look at this video before it was shared on the official platforms by the Department of Housing? Did anybody think about how people would react?”

Mr Doherty said the “hard reality” is that two-thirds of 18-34 year-olds are still living with their parents and the number of young people forced to live with their family is increasing at a faster rate than any country in Europe.

Public Expenditure Minister Jack Chambers said the video was not a direct campaign by the Department of Housing (Brian Lawless/PA)

He said this was because “home ownership has collapsed for an entire generation” under the coalition.

Representing the Government, Fianna Fáil deputy leader and public expenditure minister Jack Chambers said the video was not a direct campaign by the Department of Housing.

He said it was created by SpunOut and added: “It was developed by young people and it is based on their experiences.”

Mr Chambers said he recognised the Government needs to do everything it can to improve the availability and delivery of social and affordable homes right across our country.

He said he accepted that rents were still too expensive for many young people and this is why the Government had extended rent pressure zones and the rent tax credit.

He added that the Government will continue to ensure it builds more social and affordable homes and increase the overall provision of homes.

'Tone deaf' video

Meanwhile, housing minister James Browne said it was “misconceived” for his department to publicise advice on how young adults should cope and adjust to moving back in with their parents.

Mr Browne said his department had no involvement in the creation of the video, highlighting it was worked on by young people at Spun Out.

The video itself provided advice to young people who move back in with their parents after time spent living outside the family home.

Asked about the video by Social Democrat TD Rory Hearne at the Oireachtas Housing Committee, Mr Browne admitted he believed it being posted by his Department had been misconceived.

Mr Hearne criticised the posting of the video as being “tone deaf” of the Government.

However, in response, Mr Browne said Mr Hearne was “obsessed” with blaming him for the video, despite it being produced by SpunOut.