Kevin Moran (Longford-Westmeath, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Many families and small children are becoming trapped in the homelessness crisis. I recognise that it is a significant problem. Family homes are being affected by what is going on in the banks. We are talking about what is going on in the State. Two ordinary people with a mortgage on their house might be spending €900 per month on repayments. If one of them loses their job, the person who is left paying the mortgage might be able to afford to pay €400. What would the witnesses think if the State were to intervene in such circumstances, for example by providing a top-up payment to help them with their mortgage? I suggest such an approach would prevent people from needing to go to agencies like Focus Ireland and the local authorities and it would stop us from looking to hotels for a solution. What is the view of the witnesses on that? If we could find a mechanism for making such payments, we could make provision for reviews to take place when circumstances change after three, four or five years. When people get back into the job business, they might be able to pay off the debt that is owed to the State. I suggest this would be better than allowing such people to be evicted onto the streets. I would like to hear the views of the witnesses on that.