Louise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

We see what it is doing. The Government accuses others of playing politics. We see what it is doing. The people it is playing politics with are those who are facing eviction. Some 4,700 households have eviction notices that are due to come into effect in April. That is who the Government is playing politics with. We see what the Government is doing; we know what is going on.

The reality is that homeless services are massively overburdened. Housing supply has not increased and the cliff edge that is facing many tenants is adding huge pressure. The Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment spoke about enterprise and business. IBEC and Chambers Ireland, hardly bastions of left-wing ideology, will tell the Minister that the Government's housing crisis is now inhibiting the ability of businesses to recruit and retain staff. The Government should talk to principals in schools. Teaching used to be a good job. Teachers used to be able to afford to pay their rent. We cannot get teachers now. Does the Government know where they are? They are in Australia. They have been forced out of this country by the Government and its housing policies.

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