Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I support the motion. I welcome the opportunity to contribute on it although it falls way short given the wide range of measures that are required. One reason there is such a desire to own a home is because there is little choice. The choice is between going on the housing waiting list and trying to buy a house. One has security of tenure with a purchase unless one is in negative equity. Essentially, we need to get to a point where we have security of tenure and affordable rents that are in proportion to people's incomes. The problem is that the rental sector in Ireland is vastly different from that in many other countries, where people can make a rental property a home rather than a temporary solution until a more permanent one is found. We need to change our attitudes.

There is a significant hidden homelessness problem in Ireland. It has been largely supported by rent assistance but it also includes people who are at work and struggling to pay a very large proportion of their income in rent. This affects not only single people but also families with children. We will pay a price for allowing circumstances in which families must move every 18 months or so. There is a lack of security and certainty, even with regard to the schools children will go to. Therefore, this is a much more complex issue than it is perceived to be. We need a national housing strategy that examines landlords' and tenants' rights and responsibilities and a variety of other matters, such as where we can source funding. A source could be the European Investment Bank. We are only scratching the surface with this motion but it is important that it is on the agenda none the less.

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