Dessie Ellis (Dublin North West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I am aware of a family of two parents and ten children who are staying in Bewley's Hotel in Newlands Cross because they are homeless. They left their dwelling in Cavan because they could not handle the situation and went to the Dublin City Council area. However, they are counted as making themselves homeless and are not even on the homeless list. It is a major problem because the only option open to them is the rent supplement scheme. They received a note from the council stating they can avail of it. They went to a place in Santry which, as a three bedroom house, was not ideal for accommodating 12 people. The landlord wanted to charge a rent that was a little higher than normal but the council did not agree because it was a three bedroom house. The family is costing the local authority a considerable amount of money because they are occupying hotel rooms. We have to address a range of issues in respect of the rent supplement and its effects. This is one of the reasons I referred to it.

Deputy Catherine Murphy made a number of good points which reflect the problems I am encountering. It is one matter to examine the tenant's contribution but if the Government keeps cutting it, these issues will continue to arise.