Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent) | Oireachtas source

The Minister of State said that she does not minimise the problem. I wonder whether the Government is minimising it. All we can do is try to describe what we see every day of the week. We are here as representatives of our areas and this matter is dominating our work. I am not sure the Government acknowledges the extent of the problem.

The lack of supply of accommodation is bad for the economy. I accept that one of the positive aspects of the legislation is that the HAP, like the RAS, will in theory provide for people to return to work. However, the Bill deals with many other matters as well. I am of the view that the lack of supply to which I refer is going to damage the economy. People who are at work, like those who are unemployed, are not able to afford accommodation. This will begin life as the HAP legislation but it will very quickly become the HAP-less legislation. Landlords are not going to queue up to accept from those in receipt of the HAP hundreds of euro per month less than they could get from others. A reality check is required. The Minister of State said we were describing the problem but she has certainly not presented any solutions. This is not just a problem; it is a crisis.

Kildare was excluded from the initiative - albeit a very short-term one - that was taken and to which the Minister of State referred. Anything that can relieve the pressure that exists is welcome, but let us not over-hype initiatives of this nature as being more than they are. The initiative in question does not even extend to the areas that are affected. The situation in Cork city is every bit as bad, if not worse, than that which obtains in Dublin. The situation in Kildare is certainly as bad as in any of the Dublin local authority areas. However, Kildare has been left out of the equation. That is just not good enough. The money that was made available in the mid-Leinster region for the homeless was exhausted by March. There might be a general obligation on local authorities but this has not been backed up with the resources necessary to provide alternative accommodation, even on a temporary basis.

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