Chris Andrews (Dublin Bay South, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Housing for All is a good name but it is not delivering for all. It is not delivering for families and workers in the flat complexes. It is not delivering for families and workers in the flats who are paying significant rents. They do not get them for free. I know the Minister of State knows this but it will be a surprise to many. There is an assumption that people living in the flats get them for free. That is clearly not the case. They work hard to pay the rent. It is really important to remember that these are the same families who made up the front line during the pandemic. If it had not been for the workers and families in the flats, there would not have been a front line during the pandemic. The flats have little or no insulation, as the Minister knows. Many of them have dampness and mould, and many are like wind tunnels. There is an ongoing problem with rats and flooding, with sewage backing up into people's kitchens. It is absolutely unacceptable. I can say confidently that the flat complexes will be the last to be retrofitted and insulated. I am convinced that the view of the Government is that people living in public housing will get everything last and will have to wait. It shows the attitude of the Government towards people living in public housing.

Housing for All is not delivering for homeless people either. As has been mentioned, over 10,800 people are now homeless. Over 3,000 children are homeless. This will have a huge impact on families for generations. It is now well established that the children of people who experience homelessness are more likely to face homelessness again in the future. Therefore, this is not just a problem of homelessness today; it is also a problem we are storing up for tomorrow. Homelessness is a considerable challenge, and the Housing for All plan does not deliver for people in homelessness.

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