Pat Buckley (Cork East, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

This is not just about bricks and mortar it is about families and individuals having a home. In ten years' time we could possibly see more mental health issues arising from the ashes of this housing crisis. Many families might never have a place to call home if we continue with the current Government policy. They may never have a neighbour to call on as hotels do not do neighbours, only customers. Children might never have a pet or a garden to play in. Children's sleepovers will be just a story from the past.

The current housing crisis is having a detrimental effect on individuals and families. I deal with housing issues every single day and to be honest the situation, as we all know, is getting worse. Mothers cry on the phone telling me they are at breaking point and they cannot cope. Fathers feel totally inadequate as they cannot provide a proper place for their family to call a home. Others are couch surfing while others still wake up every day wondering if the bank will be after them next. What do we say to those people? What answers can we give?

In times of crisis or emergency all appropriate resources are made available to address the situation so that we can come out at the other end with the best possible results. It is called planning. The Fine Gael-Fianna Fáil confidence and supply arrangement never had a plan. We need to invest in people and invest locally. We need to introduce affordable rent and house purchase schemes which would be led by local authorities, housing bodies and housing co-operatives which would have the support of the Government. I commend my comrade, Deputy Ó Broin, for bringing the motion forward tonight. He has set out clear and achievable targets. I appeal to all Members of the House to support the motion.

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