Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

We all accept that there is no bigger problem facing the country than the housing crisis. The fact that 1,800 children are living in hotels and bed and breakfast accommodation is a major failure in administration, long-term planning and politics. There is nothing sadder than the sight of parents in these hotels, some of which are located in my constituency, placing milk on window sills to try to keep it cool. These parents have no choice but to feed their children fast food because they do not have access to cooking facilities. They must wash up in wash-hand basins in hotel bathrooms. Their young children struggle to do homework, while the self-esteem of their older children is being fundamentally damaged. Many of these parents believe they are utter failures.

I very much welcome the establishment of an all-party committee on housing. No one has a monopoly of wisdom when it comes to finding solutions to the housing problem. What is needed is a collaborative approach. It would be helpful, however, if the Minister took his head out of whatever it is he is reading and listened to the points Deputies are making. He does not seem to have cottoned on that he is no longer in power and must change his modus operandiif he is to survive in Parliament.

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