Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I wish to raise again with the Taoiseach the absolute urgent need for an emergency intervention by the Government to deal with the homelessness issue in the country, particularly in the capital city, Dublin.

Will he deal with the fact that last evening, bearing in mind that it is winter, there were approximately 168 adults on the streets, while approximately 800 children were in emergency accommodation, including hotel rooms across the country? In the most recent days, the very sad death of Jonathan Corrie occurred ten feet from the steps of Leinster House itself. That illustrated starkly the absolute sense of emergency and urgency around the homelessness issue right now in 2014. It is a problem that has escalated dramatically over the last 12 months, according to Focus Ireland and the Simon Community.

I asked the Taoiseach last week about the cap on rent allowance. I raised the issue of its inadequacy and prior to that outlined the very well researched article by Kitty Holland in The Irish Times, which detailed the appalling situation facing families and children. The Taoiseach will also have read her article about Shane and Ciara Dwyer, which clearly illustrated the dilemma. This married couple had been sleeping rough in their car for over three weeks prior to the publication of the article. Their rent had increased by 50%. As a couple, they were entitled to €540 rent allowance per month and were allowed to pay rent capped at €750 per month. The estate agent told them they had to sign a lease for €1,050, with the result that they had to hand back the keys and go. That is just one illustration from west Tallaght, but it is a national issue. Deputies are meeting couples and single parents who are saying they cannot rent above the cap and must live in dingy, damp accommodation rather than elsewhere at a different price threshold. It is something the Government has not responded to. Targets for 2018 or 2020 are meaningless to children and families in a serious plight.

The Simon Community said it was extremely disappointed in the Government's failure in the budget for 2015 to address rent supplement levels. The Taoiseach still has a chance to do so. Focus Ireland, the Simon Community and the various other groups involved are saying that changing the rent supplement framework and increasing the rent caps are required as an immediate, urgent intervention. That would have a very significant impact in alleviating the pressures on families who are homeless and who are about to be made homeless as a result of the Government's inaction.

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