Margaret Murphy O'Mahony (Cork South West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I have already spoken many times in the House on the issues of housing, homelessness, ever-increasing rents, social housing waiting lists and the inability of ordinary people to purchase a house of their own. That is nothing short of a disaster. I note the Taoiseach's comments on homelessness in Ireland being low by international standards. However, even if one person is homeless, that is one person too many.

In west Cork, homelessness is not a major problem but that is because three and sometimes four generations are living together in a house, which leads to its own problems.

People looking for houses in west Cork have a huge problem. Rents are spiralling out of control, particularly in urban areas, and rent now consumes a huge proportion of take-home pay. This is not sustainable. People on the social housing list are reliant on the choice-based letting system. They go online week after week to no avail. Often there are no properties available.

In addition to those who find themselves caught in the aforementioned circumstances, I wish to speak about a constituent I am helping. He unexpectedly finds himself caring for his extremely ill wife. The couple have a substantial mortgage and they are at serious risk of losing their home but they simply cannot keep up with the mortgage payments. The banks are unwilling to renegotiate in any significant way.

Fianna Fáil will set out amendments to this motion, following our motion some weeks ago. Meaningful action must be taken on this matter immediately. It is time to forget about the Government's spin and rhetoric, at which it is very good. If it was half as good at providing houses we would not be speaking about this issue today. It is time to make houses available and to enact progressive policy that will alleviate the massive problem many of my constituents are experiencing. The Government is currently sleepwalking through this problem.

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