David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The European Commission's report, and the homelessness figures published yesterday by Mr. McCarthy's Department showing record levels of almost 10,000 people, children and families, who are homeless does not suggest that the Department is getting to grips with the housing crisis. We have record levels of homelessness and, as the report says, a lack of residential construction and lack of social and affordable housing. We know this has the knock-on effect of driving up rents and we had a lengthy discussion about this the last time Mr. McCarthy attended the committee. This makes our capital city very uncompetitive in many ways. The reports and the evidence suggest that the Department is not getting to grips with the housing crisis to the extent that it is suggested. Has Mr. McCarthy accepted what the European Commission said on the lack of social and affordable housing and the impact this has on driving up rents? Does Mr. McCarthy accept that the homelessness figures published yesterday show the Department is far from getting a grip on the housing crisis?