Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

To address the concerns of the Deputy on the temporary nature of this measure, the idea behind making the tackling of homelessness and housing the No. 1 priority of the Government is that people will only be homeless on a temporary basis. We are trying to put in place long-term sustainable solutions. Ending rough sleeping and the use of unsuitable long-term emergency accommodation, including hotels for homeless families, are key priorities of the Government. That is why there was an action plan published in July with 84 actions bringing together all of the agencies, including the local authorities. We all know the solution to ending homelessness is to increase the housing supply. We simply cannot do that overnight but that is why we are trying to increase the supply as quickly as we possibly can.

By now, the Deputy will already be familiar with the contents of Rebuilding Ireland. It is a comprehensive, action-oriented and well-resourced plan to boost housing supply. The action plan also sets out a clear roadmap to achieve the Government's goals, to significantly increase and expedite the delivery of social housing units, to boost private housing construction, to improve the rental market and to deliver on the commitment to increase housing supply in overall terms to some 25,000 new homes every year by 2020. Just as the drafting of the action plan was a collaborative process involving a wide range of interests, so too will its implementation rely on all stakeholders, including Departments, local authorities, housing agencies, voluntary bodies and the construction sector, to achieve its ambitious goals. The key targets of the action plan will also be subject to regular Cabinet review.

I have no doubt that this House will play an important part in that process going forward and that the action plan will deliver permanent solutions. I understand the concern. People have seen timelines missed, deadlines missed and problems continue to arise. However, we are very committed that this is priority No. 1. The whole of the Dáil was involved in the committee on homelessness as well. With the resources that are put behind it, I have no doubt but that this action plan will bring about the solutions that the Deputy wants to achieve. I understand the concerns he has locally, but we have to try to solve this on a national scale. It is predominantly in the Dublin region and that is where the resources are going to be to try to tackle this and bring it to a head once and for all.

See this speech in context