Kathleen Funchion (Carlow-Kilkenny, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Since the last time the Dáil discussed the housing situation two to three weeks ago, I have dealt with ten families presenting as homeless or at risk of homelessness in my constituency of Carlow-Kilkenny. I am sure that is not unique to me. Deputies from all parties and none have been dealing with this situation as well.

What people in this situation are looking for are solutions and answers. It is not acceptable that in 2016, it has become almost normal for families to call a hotel or a bed and breakfast facility home. What is often forgotten in these discussions are the families or the individuals who are living in overcrowded situations, those who are relying on family members or friends to accommodate them in their sitting room or spare room. For people living like this, there is obviously a huge amount of worry and stress and we sometimes forget the extremely negative impact this is having on the mental health of people, in particular, the children. Our children deserve better than this. There are 1,881 children recorded as being homeless at present.

On the last occasion I spoke on this issue, I said that we need two approaches to it. We need a long-term solution which is obviously to start building social housing. However, in the interim, we need short-term solutions for the families who are either living in those very overcrowded situations or living in hotels and bed and breakfast facilities. We need to look at introducing rent certainty and at overhauling all State supports in the private rental market as an immediate measure to help people but we also need to address the issue of evictions and house repossessions. The banks must be compelled to negotiate with people. I am sure many Members have come across a repossession case where a house is left empty for months, causing antisocial behaviour in the area because it is boarded up and vacant. The family involved then presents as homeless to the local authority, putting more pressure on the housing lists and the homeless services while the house lies idle. It makes no sense. In many such situations, people are willing to negotiate with the bank and are willing to pay something towards the mortgage but the banks are simply unwilling to negotiate with them. We need to look at this sector as well because there is no sense in this. We have a housing crisis and in many situations, the banks are taking back homes that could be used for those who looking for homes. We need to strengthen legislation to protect the family home.

I welcome the creation of this cross-party committee because we need to be focused on solutions and answers. That is what the people elected us to do and that is what people want to see. There is much despair in regard to the housing problem and I hope this cross-party committee will be able to come up with short-term and long-term solutions to the housing crisis.

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