Eoin Ó Broin (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

This morning's newspapers are once again filled with horror stories of the impact of the Government's housing policy on children. Yesterday's Social Justice Ireland conference was told of toddlers' inability to walk, crawl or chew because of prolonged stays in emergency accommodation. The conference heard from one expert who said:

Time lost in the first five years of a child's development is not easily recovered. It requires wraparound supports, including physical and speech therapies, counselling services and dieticians.

At the launch of its annual report this morning, Respond said just 8% of families in its hub units were able to exit homelessness into social housing last year. This is the lived reality of Fine Gael's failed housing policy, which continues to survive only at the behest of Deputy Micheál Martin and Fianna Fáil. Rebuilding Ireland is now in its fourth year, and what have been the results? Homelessness is up 67%, with more than 10,000 people officially homeless, according to the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government. Child homelessness is up a shocking 81%, and tonight more than 4,000 children will sleep in hotels, hubs and hostels. Some will spend their fourth year in emergency accommodation this Christmastime. As we know, rents are up a staggering 39%, and new rents across the State are almost €5,000 more expensive this year than they were when this Government took office. In Dublin city they are €7,500 per year more expensive than in 2016. As we all know, house prices are up over 20%, resulting in a whole generation of young people locked out of home ownership.

Today the Social Democrats announced they will table a motion of no confidence in the Minister, Deputy Eoghan Murphy, next week. They have said enough is enough, and I wholeheartedly agree. Sinn Féin will fully support the motion, and I urge all Opposition Deputies, including those in Fianna Fáil, to do likewise. It is no longer credible for parties to attack the Government's housing policy and record while propping up that very same Government. It is time for Deputy Micheál Martin to declare whether he is on the side of homeless children or the side of Deputy Eoghan Murphy. Importantly, next week's votes will also be the first for the four newly elected by-election Deputies when they enter Dáil Éireann. The electorate therefore has a very clear choice to make this Friday: will voters vote for candidates who will continue to support this failing Government and its housing policy or will they too say enough is enough and vote no confidence in Deputy Eoghan Murphy and Rebuilding Ireland?

In light of the growing evidence, as in the newspapers this morning, does the Taoiseach still have confidence in Rebuilding Ireland and in his Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government?

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