Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The Taoiseach’s housing strategy and policy is a fiasco and a disaster. If he was to listen to those we call generation rent and their experiences, that would be apparent to him, as it would if he was to observe the clear generation gap, the generation cleavage that exists right across this State and reflect on the fact a whole generation of people have been locked out not alone from any aspiration to own their own home, but even to afford a stable, sustainable roof over their heads. I have said this to the Taoiseach many times but I say it to him again.

The Taoiseach has lauded his achievements with regard to homelessness. However, a report published by the Dublin Region Homeless Executive reflects a different story, in fact, a steady rise in homelessness for single people, families and children throughout last year, a dramatic drop-off in exit from homelessness compared with 2019 and 2020, and a very high level of long-term homelessness. We know from previous data that there can be a December hiatus in the Christmas period and numbers can drop but then they surge again.

The decision of the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to lift the Covid-19 ban on evictions has made a really bad situation worse. Will the Taoiseach intervene on that score at least and effect some minor change in those circumstances?

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