Mairead Farrell (Galway West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Gabhaim mo bhuíochas le mo chomhghleacaí, an Teachta Eoin Ó Broin, as ucht an Bille fíorthábhachtach seo a chur os comhair na Dála.

Homelessness and the threat of homelessness is undoubtedly the main issue that I deal with every day in my constituency office. I am sure we have all met people who have received a notice to quit and are unable to find alternative accommodation. Unfortunately, that is the reality in my home city of Galway, where time and again no properties are available in Galway city centre within the HAP limits.There is also limited access to social housing.

Seeing the deep worry of these families as they edge closer to the day they must vacate their home never gets easier, nor does the very difficult conversation they have with the local authority when it advises them that if they cannot find alternative accommodation, they will have to come to the local authority office and present themselves as homeless. This is a horror that no family should face but unfortunately it is a reality for many.

I will never forget one woman telling me of her heartbreak as she and her little two-year-old son were walking back to the hotel they were living in, and he pointed at the hotel saying "Home, home." This family had been in emergency accommodation since the boy was born and over a year later, they are still experiencing homelessness. My heart breaks every time I think of that story. This is not an isolated case but is the reality for many children across the State.

Another woman contacted me today after I told her that we were discussing this issue in the Dáil and she said:

I am a lone parent and I always have been. My child has an autoimmune disease and chronic asthma. We have been two months in homelessness and 14 years on housing list. I am going to get incredibly upset saying this, but my child is under intense pressure when going to school due to the stress of being homeless. The impact this has had on my family is absolutely chronic. Everything comes down to trying to keep your child happy... My son is so intelligent and so nice, but how can he be happy when he doesn’t have his health... or a home.

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