Charlie McConalogue (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The past week has been a very difficult one for people in Greece and many people in Ireland. Yesterday saw the callous cut to the one-parent family payment, which will affect 30,000 single parents and their children. Despite being warned that this is a counterproductive policy that will hurt many, the Government has ploughed on with it. This is against the backdrop of the highest number of homeless families ever recorded, with 1,038 children from 490 families being housed in hotels across Dublin alone. The number of homeless families is increasing month on month, despite the Government’s stating it is taking urgent action. Government policies are, unfortunately, making the housing crisis worse, instead of better. The Government has been good on rhetoric and in stating its vision, but it is not taking enough practical decisions to allow families to stay in their homes. Only two of the six banks have passed on reductions in mortgage rates, yet the Government refuses to take any real action to ensure relief for mortgage paying families. Its refusal to increase rent supplement adds to the increasing problems of families who find themselves without a home. The housing charity, Simon, recently surveyed 1,150 properties available to rent in Dublin and found that only 12% were available within the rent supplement cap limits. As a result, housing authorities are allocating emergency accommodation in hotels for families who cannot rent properties. For the first time, families are presenting to the Housing First agency which accommodates rough sleepers. This week Focus Ireland again called on the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Alan Kelly, to intervene urgently. By refusing to address the rent supplement caps which have become totally disconnected from the rental market, the Government is standing over a vicious circle for the families affected. Will the Tánaiste agree to increase the rent supplement caps to help address this problem?

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