Catherine Byrne (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Homelessness occurs for many reasons, as has been pointed out by many speakers in this debate. It can occur because of the loss of property, which Deputy Fitzmaurice mentioned, family disputes, alcoholism, drug addiction, mental health issues, abuse and other social problems. People find themselves homeless for many reasons. The figures show very clearly that part of the problem is due to insufficient social housing for people who want to be housed.

With that in mind this Government has taken many measures, some of which have been spoken about tonight. Even through the Department of Social Protection, an increase in the level of rent supplement has been granted to over 5,000 households over the past 18 months. With the new cold weather initiative for another 175 beds there will be no need for anybody to sleep rough if they do not wish to do so. There are some people who want to sleep rough for a number of reasons and that is their choice. Even if there was housing for everybody tomorrow we would still need the Alice Leahys of this world from Trust, the Simon Community and Merchants Quay Project. These people who have made their life’s work helping the needy, not only homeless people but people with the issues I have mentioned, deal with them daily.

Like any mother I would agree that a hotel room is an inappropriate place for any family to have to spend Christmas or live for any period. When I had young children I never had the opportunity to go to a hotel room on holidays but I rented a caravan in the country. It was very difficult to control a group of children in such a confined space. It is inconvenient and impractical not to be able to cook for oneself or wash clothes properly. Hotel rooms are not a solution.

I appeal to families who have children and loved ones in hotel rooms to ask them not to leave their loved ones in hotel rooms but take them into their own homes and allow them be part of the bigger assembly of the family. As a mother and grandmother there would be no doubt in my mind but that I would want to bring my children home for Christmas. A hotel room is not a solution to homelessness for families, particularly young children. Every day I receive many representations from young people in my constituency trying to study for exams in a hotel room where there are three or four other children. That is practically impossible. I appeal to families who have loved ones in hotel rooms this Christmas to bring them back under their roof.

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