Denise Mitchell (Dublin Bay North, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

We are having this debate because there are solutions to the housing crisis. Sinn Féin has solutions, as do the people protesting outside the gates and other Opposition parties in this Chamber, but Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael will not listen. My office, like those of other Deputies, is inundated with people looking for help in securing homes or preventing eviction into homelessness. It is absolutely heartbreaking. My colleague, Deputy Ó Broin, has stood in this Chamber time and again putting forward solutions to end this crisis only to have them voted down or for Fianna Fáil members to sit on their hands and abstain. I will now remind the House of some of our solutions.

Sinn Féin in government would dedicate an extra €1 billion to build social and truly affordable homes. We would implement a rent freeze and give the equivalent of one month's rent in the form of a tax break back to renters every year. We would prevent landlords from seeking more than one month's rent on top of a deposit. We would introduce the so-called Focus Ireland amendment, as well as a homeless prevention Bill which would stop renters from being evicted into homelessness by putting in place a 60-day homeless prevention plan before anyone loses his or her home or tenancy. We would hold a referendum to give a constitutional right to a home. Sinn Féin would bring down rents and build homes because there is no other way to end this crisis. Most of what is said in this House is no more than window dressing.

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