Maria Bailey (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I stand here in this Chamber because this is not just a job for me. The very reason I ran for national politics was to make a difference and to help with the crisis that is before us. I am a mum of two young children. I have listened to Deputy Rabbitte and I concur with all she said in the Chamber this morning. Everyone in this Chamber has compassion and empathy for the crisis that is before us, but I ask Members to come forward with solutions that will add to the policies we have put in place. Many Members have done this already.

I also listened to Deputy Catherine Martin in the Chamber this morning and I would argue her figures. I will not do so in the Chamber because I do not want to waste time doing that, but I ask that Deputy Martin contacts her councillors in the Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council and work with the Fine Gael councillors on the council, as they have done before, in the policies that we are bringing forward locally to drive social housing on State-owned land that councils own. I am aware that Councillor Shane O'Brien from Sinn Féin is working with Fine Gael and Independent councillors on this. I ask that Deputies work with their local councillors to drive their local authorities to deliver housing in their areas. We have to work collectively. We have always said there is more to do in this regard.

On Friday I met with a family at a family hub. I was delighted to hear of three other individuals who had left to go into long-term accommodation. I am delighted for those people because they give me great hope that what we are doing is right, although we need to do far more. I spoke to another gentleman there who welcomed the supports he was getting from the facility for himself and his child. It empowered him and gave him hope that he could get back into his own home with his child. He would not have had this hope otherwise. I have heard people talk about building new houses and that we are wasting money on hotel accommodation and family hubs, but I never hear these people say how they propose to house those families and individuals while we are trying to get supply up and running. Family hubs have always been an interim measure to give families security and supports until we find that long-term home for those families, albeit not an ideal measure. I fully recognise that.

I respect the comment made by Deputy Joan Collins about the television and the bedroom area. I will take those concerns back. Nothing is perfect and we are always trying to amend as we go along if something is not working. Family hubs are far better than a cramped hotel room. I have two small children and I cannot think of anything worse than being in a small area with small children trying to do their school homework or trying to feed them, dress them and everything else that is day-to-day family life.

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