Caít Keane (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister of State to the House. I congratulate the Labour group and Senator Hayden on tabling the motion. There is a commitment in the programme for Government to end long-term homelessness. Every aim and objective the Government has is not written down in the programme for Government but both parties in this debate thought that homelessness was one of the priority issues that had to be addressed and a commitment to end it was included. It is a big ask. I have great pleasure in speaking after Senator Ó Domhnaill who showed great indignation in condemning the Government for what it is not doing. When this Government came into office, there were 98,318 households on the waiting list.

Now, there are 89,872 households on the waiting list. Even in the good old days of the boom, there was still homelessness. The affordable housing scheme was good in theory, but it contained a clause under which councils could buy out houses, which meant that people needed to mortgage themselves to the hilt at a time when they should have been able to avail of affordable housing. The scheme did not work as intended.

There are various types of homeless people. Homelessness can mean much more than just sleeping rough. The Government has taken that fact into consideration, showing the Minister of State's holistic approach to homelessness. People sleeping rough are a minority, but we are serious about the issue. We will not hide. As Fr. Peter McVerry has pointed out, we know what the situation is.

Many homeless people are not counted as sleeping rough because, for example, they are staying in emergency hostels or shelters, temporary bed and breakfast accommodation or with friends and relatives. We are trying to do something about the policy issue and correct past mistakes. The significant increase in urban rents to which Senator Hayden referred represents a major problem. It is causing homelessness among people whom one would not have even dreamed could become homeless, for example, those who are out of work and cannot afford to pay the market rent for suitable accommodation. A number landlords are refusing to accommodate people if they are not professionals or employed even though they might have the wherewithal to pay some rent. If people can get references and prove their ability to pay, the issue of such refusals must be examined. It is not sustainable in the current economic climate. Too many landlords are unwilling to accept rent allowance. The amount allowable under the supplementary rent allowance must be considered, given the rents being charged.

We have seen people trying to exit homelessness. I compliment the NGOs on the great work they are doing, for example, Focus Ireland, the Simon Communities and Ms Alice Leahy of TRUST, which has been going since 1985. She could have been done out of a job had this issue been made a priority during the boom. It is being discussed now, but talk is cheap.

I have worked in south Dublin. This is an issue in which I had an interest. One of the first people I invited to Leinster House from my area was the homeless officer of South Dublin County Council. Organisations such as the Simon Communities provide valuable assistance in tackling the difficulties facing the homeless, for example, loneliness, isolation, poverty and poor health and welfare. They aim to help all service users to rebuild their lives and exit homelessness. The Government is committed to helping those NGOs that work with the homeless.

When the Government entered into office, the coffers were empty. One must cut one's cloth to suit one's measure. I compliment Dublin City Council, which reversed its manager's decision to cut €6 million from its homelessness budget. The Fine Gael and Labour councillors worked together to achieve that.