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

I commend my party colleague and Dublin Mid-West colleague, Deputy Eoin Ó Broin, for tabling the Homeless Prevention Bill 2020. Prior to becoming a public representative, I worked with those experiencing homelessness, so it was no surprise that since I became a public representative the biggest issue that I have come across is the housing crisis.

At any time of year homelessness is an emotional subject, but it always comes to the forefront at Christmas. Taking into consideration those who are homeless that the Government does not count in its official figures such as those in domestic violence accommodation and those in direct provision accommodation, over 3,000 children will be homeless this Christmas. Over 3,000 children will wake up on Christmas morning without a safe and secure roof over their head.

A report from the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland, RCPI, states that children in emergency or unsafe accommodation "are more likely to be bullied and less likely to see their friends", while homeless children are "twice" as likely to require hospitalisation. Moreover, the report found that children in homelessness suffer higher rates of health issues, have less access to developmental opportunities such as play, recreation and social activities and have increased behavioural difficulties.

I attended a meeting of the Joint Committee on Children, Disability, Equality and Integration earlier at which we heard how the State was failing children at that level and now we are debating the issue of housing, where the State is also failing children. We need to start picking up for the most vulnerable people in society. This Homeless Prevention Bill before the Minister is a chance to put people before politics. Supporting this Bill will give the Government the chance to say to all children who will be homeless this Christmas that it hears them, that they matter and that it will do everything possible to ensure this will be the last Christmas they will experience homelessness. We also would be telling children in insecure accommodation that we will do everything possible to ensure they will not become homeless next Christmas.

One of the most heartbreaking things I have witnessed has occurred when I have allowed parents to use my mobile phone to call hotel accommodation. I have seen the look of rejection and dejection in the eyes of children as they lose hope each time their mother and father are told there is no room at the inn for the night. It is heartbreaking. As I said, enough is enough. We need to not just give these children hope this Christmas but we must also tell them that we hear them and will act in their best interests.

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