Mary Fitzpatrick (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I am going to continue on this point. I have some other questions but this is a really important issue. I thank Mr. Durkan, Ms Hayes, Ms Timmons and Ms Tobin for coming in. This meeting is meant to be one of a series. Ending homelessness by 2030 is a key priority for the Government and for this committee. We made it one of our first priorities by producing the report and we are committed to reviewing progress. It is not about policing the work of our guests in whom we have absolute confidence; it is about ensuring things are progressing.

On the matter of acquisitions by local authorities to prevent homelessness, the language of a circular can be very far removed from the reality of the lived experience of the individuals. I can think of countless cases in the last number of years where Dublin City Council has been in a position to respond to a family about to become homeless. Such families have been on the housing list for seven, eight or nine years, have children but are not at the top of the housing list because the list is quite long. They have a notice to quit and will be going into emergency accommodation. The way that was prevented, when we had a decade of undersupply and under-construction of housing, was by the local authority buying the house where the landlord agrees to it. That is not the ideal solution. All our guests have said as much today. Housing for All is committed to the State leading on the building of housing and delivering 300,000 homes over the next number of years. That is what we need to get to. I am delighted to hear political unanimity here that in the short term, it must be a combination of measures with one being the acquisition of homes. I would like the Department officials to come back and clarify that in a circular to us afterwards. It is really important the local authorities understand it is a criterion that allows them purchase a home where a landlord wants to sell and when the family is otherwise going to go into homelessness. The whole committee and the local authorities would appreciate that clarification.

I have a specific question for Ms Hayes on the Dublin presentations and the homeless numbers in that. It is great the family numbers are down by 40% since 2018 but we still have a big way to go. My first question is on the causes of homelessness. I heard what she said about relationship breakdown and coming out of care. How many cases of homelessness, or what percentage, does she think are being caused by illegal evictions? Has she any idea?