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

Last night during a debate with Sinn Féin's Deputy Ó Broin, the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Deputy O'Brien, claimed that we do not have a housing emergency. It was incredible stuff and, therefore, I will share with the Taoiseach just some of the hundreds of accounts from people who have been in touch with us in the past 24 hours - victims of the housing emergency.

Christopher tells us:

I'm living in rental accommodation. I work full time in the defence forces, my partner works part time as we cannot afford full time childcare. Will never ever be able to afford a house with prices this high. At my wit's end. I genuinely have to hold back tears some days out of pure frustration at the state of things.

Tracy tells us:

I Had to take an overdraft so I can pay the mortgage every month. I can't afford oil for heating. We’re ripped off. I’m considering moving to New Zealand.

Christine story is as follows:

I got 6 months’ notice to leave after 9 years renting. I’ve 4 ... [children all] under 10. I've been on the housing list for several years. Council ... [tell] me there are no houses and to start asking ... family. I’m so stressed I’ve had to go on medication. I work hard. I feel so let down. My heart is broken thinking my ... [children] might not have a home.

Aoife tells us:

Myself, my husband & 3 kids have lived with my mother for nearly 5 years now. We make too much money for social housing and WAY too little to own our own home. Our only hope would be affordable housing. We couldn’t afford to rent. We feel like our lives have been on hold for so long now. We pay all our taxes and bills. We truly are the working poor & hidden homeless.

Cillian says:

I am 28 years old, ... [I live] in a house-share. I have a good job, ... [but] at this age I [had] hoped to my own place. The house I’m in is overcrowded and damp. I hate going home ...[from] work, but I have no prospect of finding a nicer place. I’m very much considering moving away for a better life. I know [there are] people are worse off than me, but my current situation is [so] depressing.

Kate tells us:

We’re back living with my parents along with two children. We are saving for a house, but prices are crazy. We both have good jobs but [we are] not massive earners. When my dad was diagnosed with cancer in September, we considered moving out and renting again to give my parents space. 17 applications were sent and not one response! My eldest child is so insecure about not having our own house and it causes huge worries for him and us.

There the Taoiseach has it. This is just a small sample of the real stories of Government's collective failure in housing - a father is close to tears every day; a mother on medication to cope with the stress; young people feeling depressed and looking to emigrate; children wracked with anxiety and fear; and families living in a state of panic. Deir an Taoiseach nach éigeandáil tithíochta í seo ach ní thagann an tuairim sin le fíorscéal na ndaoine. The claim made that this is not a housing emergency is painfully out of touch with the reality of people’s lives. If this is not a disaster, what is it? If this is not a social catastrophe, what is it? If this is not a housing emergency - as the Minister claims - what is it?

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