Violet-Anne Wynne (Clare, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I commend this motion. In the very short time available to me, I am compelled to focus on emergency accommodation and the lack of capacity in County Clare. The most recent statistics show there were 296 presentations to the homeless action team in Clare in September while there are only 92 places in emergency accommodation in total. We are in the reality of waiting lists for emergency accommodation. That is deplorable.

I have three points to make. We need to increase the scale of emergency accommodation in Clare. We also need to ramp up the building of social and affordable housing. I welcome the recent comments from the Minister on Clare FM suggesting that the scheme could be extended to places like west Clare. It would be great to get a commitment on that. We also need to open the winter initiative immediately. I have discussed that separately with the Minister.

I will also take this opportunity to point out that a proposal from Clare regarding a modular home scheme as an option was made to each of the 31 local authorities in the State. That was several months ago but, to date, the proposers have received no response. I will forward the details to the Minister of State. I hope he will be able to give it his attention. It seems extremely cost-effective. These homes can be built in one day. There could be a real option here to address capacity issues now.

Something that needs to be reflected on is that no statistics on progress can keep people warm and safe this winter. Every day, I talk to people who are in deplorable and desperate circumstances or who are facing them imminently. They tell me that they are on the streets or sleeping in cars or on floors. More needs to be done.

I also have two points to make on vacant homes. We need to reduce the length of time a property must be vacant for to avail of two schemes. Under Croí Cónaithe, it should be reduced from two years to six months. Equally, the requirement under the local authority repair and lease scheme should be reduced from one year to six months. I know the Minister of State has said that he is committed to carrying out a review next year but I respectfully request that be brought forward immediately.

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