Paul Donnelly (Dublin West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputies for bringing forward this motion. By every metric the Housing for All strategy is failing. In Dublin 15, the housing crisis is at its worst ever. In excess of 88 families currently face a notice to quit, an increase of more than 50 in a little over three months. Some are relieved there has been a stay of execution, but for some the ban has come too late and they face a dire situation, particularly those who are overholding. They listen to the news every day and hear there is nothing out there to rent, and they have witnessed over the weekend Ukrainian citizens and others seeking international protection being told they have nowhere to go and to sleep on the streets. That is despite the promises from Government that there would be accommodation. It is shocking.

I asked the Taoiseach last week about emergency legislation to put to use on a temporary basis land that is owned by local authorities but zoned other than residential, such as GE or HT, that is close to other homes and services and that can be brought into force quickly. Will the Minister engage with Fingal County Council and allow it to use special temporary legislation currently being used by the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth and fund modular housing for local authorities to keep Dublin 15 citizens beside their schools, jobs, sports clubs, friends and families?

A cohort of families and workers, especially those outside the income threshold for housing, are at real risk because they do not qualify for housing assistance payment, HAP. They are trying to find accommodation and cannot afford it. We heard of a man living in a tent with his family. That will happen more and more because rents are completely and utterly out of control. Working families are unable to secure the limited housing available and are faring very badly. In a few short months, there is an opportunity to give people hope. We and the people need to hear from the Minister of State. People facing homelessness need to hear from the Minister of State and the Government what radical measures will be put in place to keep people in their homes with a roof over their head.

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