Kathleen Funchion (Carlow-Kilkenny, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank An Cathaoirleach Gníomhach. Given that people are being advised to go to them for everything, is there any chance that local authorities will be provided with additional in staff in order, particularly because, as matters stand, they are totally overburdened? I cannot describe how frustrating it is, seven years after my first speech in this House, that not only are we still in the same housing crisis but that it has become far worse.

It seems like an obvious observation to make but housing affects all aspects of a person's life. I genuinely do not think the Government truly understands this. I know Government Deputies have been out this week and last week saying that they are not immune to the plight of people whose families are at the coalface of the housing crisis. It is more the case that many of those Deputies, including the ones in my constituency, are speaking out of both sides of their mouths. Housing affects people who are looking for employment. Many are now assessing whether to take jobs irrespective of whether they are the right jobs for them. The question is whether they can afford accommodation or whether they can even find accommodation near the job. We have seen this in the nursing and education sectors. We have seen scores of young and not-so-young people leaving to go abroad and emigrating. People are choosing college and university based on availability and cost of accommodation. They are not basing their decision on where they would like to study or if it is the right course for them. There are 11 properties for rent in Carlow and 16 in Kilkenny. I will leave it at that because I am out of time.

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