Gary Gannon (Dublin Central, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

In asking for an update on the work of the Department's economic policy unit, I am reminded of what business groups have said over the past year or so about the housing crisis being a critical barrier to growth within our economy. I am wondering what advice the Taoiseach has received, for example, about accommodation for hospitality workers in Dublin city. Rents here average €2,300 and I promise those in the city centre far exceed that. Those workers, who are contributing to the economy of the city and the county as well, are clinging onto their homes and will be terrified by news of the ending of the eviction ban. What happens when our hospitality workers can no longer afford to live in this city? Our students, to take another example, already cannot afford it. What happens when we price people we are relying upon out of the city? Was that factored into the Cabinet's considerations today?

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