Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the contributions and I compliment Habitat for Humanity on its work in many deprived communities. The figure of 1.6 billion people living in inadequate accommodation - to put it mildly - is a frightening statistic. The other statistic often quoted is that 1 billion people go to bed hungry every night. These two statistics are really a terrible indictment of the international community and communities across the world. With increasing urbanisation, the issues of food security, climate change and space for people to live in appropriate accommodation all need to be given more attention by the public. The briefing we got stated that we should promote opportunities for the Irish public to learn, engage and participate in global issues, including housing interventions. That is a welcome development. It is only at a time of crisis that there is adequate media coverage of the particular challenges facing so many communities worldwide. If we look at Sky News, BBC, RTE and other broadcasters, we hear about climate change due to the recent flooding in England. That is why it is getting more attention, but it should get attention at all times. With increasing urbanisation, there is less land available for arable purposes and the production of food, and issues such as this need great attention.

Am I right in thinking that Habitat for Humanity advocates on behalf of the many communities in which people are living in slum conditions, and is also a provider of housing? Does the organisation get support through the international development aid programmes of different countries and of the European Union? Its work is extremely important and I hope it can create a better awareness of those statistics quoted in its briefing paper.