Tom Fleming (Kerry South, Independent) | Oireachtas source

In 2012, Focus Ireland warned that mortgage arrears and rising rents were pushing families out of rental accommodation, noting that eight families were becoming homeless every month. By 2013, that number had risen to 20 families per month, and to 40 in 2014. As we near the close of 2015, 70 families are facing homelessness every month in this State. Given the number of repossessions coming before the courts on a weekly basis, we can expect an avalanche of families losing their homes in the coming winter months. I appeal to the Minister to do what he can to stave off some of those repossessions. For now, however, the situation looks quite hopeless. Thousands of people are living in temporary emergency accommodation which, in most instances, is unsuitable, particularly for families. Some parents are living with their children in bed and breakfast accommodation and hotel rooms on a long-term basis. The other alternative is emergency dormitory accommodation in overcrowded hostels. Families in these situations often have to leave the premises during the day and wander about the place. Parents often need to travel further to bring their children to school, which has cost implications and may affect attendance rates.

An issue that has been making headlines in the media recently is the situation in regard to bed-sit accommodation. The outlawing of such accommodation some years ago left a shortfall, particularly in Dublin. The vast majority of existing bed-sit accommodation had failed to comply with fire safety regulations or had structural issues. However, in the current drastic situation in which we find ourselves, rather than having people sleeping in cardboard boxes on the side of the street or in doorways or lane ways, bed-sit accommodation seems a much better option. Some landlords have learned from the experience of a total ban. As I understand it, many owners of the properties in question have carried out refurbishment work, including structural repairs. Will the Minister consider examining the potential that is there in terms of restoring the availability of bed-sit accommodation? The 2011 census showed there were 6,259 people living in privately rented bed-sit accommodation, three quarters of them in Dublin. More than 3,000 of those units comprised just one room. Rather than seeing people out in the cold and rain, this is an area where the Minister might look to do something in co-ordination with local authority buildings inspectors. Such a move might well bring some relief to the situation in the coming months.

I recently tabled a parliamentary question to the Minister in which I asked him to consider engaging with the Irish League of Credit Unions to provide moneys for the provision of social housing. I recently attended a meeting in Tralee with credit union officials and they are very anxious to get involved. The credit unions hold in excess of €8 billion in surplus funds on behalf of members in deposits and investments. Under current regulations, however, there are limited options for the management and placement of those funds. Surely they could be better used to deliver social goals, while also protecting them? The Commission on Credit Unions, which was established by the Government, recommended that methods for credit unions to invest in State projects be devised, and this was reflected in the Credit Union and Co-operation with Overseas Regulators Act 2012. Section 43 of the Credit Union Act 1997 provides that the Central Bank may prescribe investments and classes of investments, including investment projects of a public nature in which credit unions may invest. The Irish League of Credit Unions has pointed out that if the Central Banks' guidance note on the Registry of Credit Unions were amended to facilitate investments by credit unions, credit union deposits currently held by banks could contribute to a State-guaranteed fund to assist in the provision of social and affordable housing on a basis that assures both the protection of the fund and gives a modest return.

This would be in line with the principle of existing legislation and the social ethos of credit unions. Delivering social housing is an urgent social imperative. Credit unions have funds which could be used to assist and their objective should be to engage with the Central Bank, the Department of Finance and the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government.

In the area of provision of mortgages to credit union members, the Irish League of Credit Unions board has established a home loan working group to scope out how home loans might be made available to the credit union movement. The purpose of this is to provide an avenue to credit unions that wish to enter the home loan market in a more consistent manner, similar to the initiative already outlined. An amendment to the registry of credit union guidance notes on investment is required to allow credit unions to invest funds in a centralised entity which itself then will require regulatory approval. Then credit unions will be in a position to offer mortgages to their members.

While the Minister has already given a fairly positive response to a parliamentary question I put down on these proposals from the Irish League of Credit Unions, I urge him to go further with them.

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