Dáil debates

Thursday, 15 September 2022

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation

 

12:40 pm

Photo of Richard Boyd BarrettRichard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance) | Oireachtas source

The cost-of-living crisis has dominated discussions in the Dáil, and rightly so, because so many people are fearful of what they face in the winter. It is the reason so many people will come out on the streets for the cost of living coalition's demonstration on Saturday, 24 September. The other connected crisis that will also prompt people to join the demonstration is an ever-worsening housing and homelessness crisis, in particular the spike in the number of people being evicted because landlords are selling properties. People are terrified they will face homelessness over the coming months through no fault of their own.

I want to make a very specific and positive proposal. The Government has had a windfall in corporate tax receipts. I understand we cannot depend on this over the long term but the Government could use this money to purchase properties where people face evictions into homelessness through no fault of their own. It would be a good investment. It would stop people going into homeless services and save money on homeless expenditure, the rental accommodation scheme and housing assistance payments. I ask the Government to consider a major programme of purchase in these situations.

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