Johnny Mythen (Wexford, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

It is important to see the support this motion has from many Opposition Members. It relates to housing, which has been one of the main political issues of this Dáil. It is appropriate that we table this comprehensive motion in the last week of the term, when the Government's targets are not sufficient to meet the housing disaster ahead of us. This is an issue that affects every constituency in Ireland. In County Wexford alone the latest house prices and rent prices have increased by 14% on what they were this time last year. The trend is putting hard-working people in the impossible position of never owning permanent homes.

People are one paycheck, one price hike or one notice to quit away from being back in their parents' box rooms or, in the worst scenario, on the streets. Every day I receive emails and phone calls from constituents looking for affordable places to rent, affordable housing or social housing. They are just not there. It breaks my heart to know that what we can do is limited and that the Government's policy will ensure these issues will continue.

One of the most difficult aspects of the housing disaster is children and homelessness. There are 5,054 single people, 3,028 children and 1,366 families who are homeless as we speak. Children who have experienced homelessness are more likely to have health problems, go hungry, experience development delays and have higher rates of depression, anxiety and behaviour disorders than other children. These children can spend three years or more in bed-and-breakfast accommodation. Other children are in direct provision centres for ten years or more. These are our most vulnerable children and the Government is fully aware of these facts. It is time to sink or swim and support the Raise the Roof campaign led by the trade union movement, housing rights activists and all those young hard-working citizens who are brushed aside from owning their own homes by vulture funds and the wolves of the stock market. The budget must be used to deliver a major shift in housing policy. It must focus on affordable homes and increase direct capital to deliver at least 20,000 social and affordable homes, including 4,000 cost-rental homes. The Minister must not fail another young generation.

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