Mark Ward (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I wish to speak about one issue that arises for people affected by the housing crisis, namely, the draconian practice of self-accommodation. The recent report from the Joint Committee on Children and Youth Affairs on the impact of homelessness found that families who are self-accommodating have to find their own emergency accommodation. They are not able to access vital supports such as a case worker who can assist them with the daily challenges of homelessness and more importantly, support them in getting out of emergency accommodation. On the face of it, the term "self-accommodation" suggests giving people ownership, autonomy and a choice about getting a roof over their heads but the reality on the ground is quite different. Last Christmas, parents were asked to vacate their hotel rooms, with their children in tow, to make room for tourists. This pattern was repeated on St. Patrick's weekend and other holiday periods throughout the year. Christmas 2019 is just around the corner. I have had families with young children in my constituency office in Clondalkin. They have all of their personal belongings with them and no means of transport, apart from public transport which some cannot afford. Above all, they have no idea where they will spend the night. The whole day is spent on the phone ringing hotel after hotel and trying to source accommodation. I have witnessed the stress this causes parents and the trauma their children go through. I have seen hope disappear from their children's eyes each time they are told there is no room at the inn. On one occasion a couple with three children used my phone over an eight-hour period trying to find safe and secure accommodation for the night. Eventually they were successful but they had to get two buses to get to the hotel in question. After eight hours of stress, these tired and worn out parents and their three exhausted children had to bring all of their belongings on two buses and cross the city just to have a roof over their heads for one night. This is unacceptable.

If we are to be judged on how we treat our most vulnerable, we are failing badly. Self-accommodation must end and every assistance must be directed to those who need it. I will be raising this matter directly with the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government.

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