Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I have absolutely no confidence in this Government. In truth, I have never had confidence in Fine Gael, Fianna Fáil or even the Green Party, who have shamefully turned their back on their voters since being elected three years ago. However, lifting the ban on no-fault evictions during such a severe, and frankly terrifying, housing crisis is a new low, even for this uncaring Government. This one decision will cause incredible stress and pain to so many in this country. The Government tries to deny this fact, despite the fact that every single housing expert, housing body, and housing charity have said this will be the case.

If it is facts that the Government is looking for then let me outline exactly what this is going to mean for my constituency in Donegal. In 2022, 536 individuals, comprising 292 adults and 244 children, sought the support and assistance of the North West Simon Community. The number of households seeking early intervention assistance from North West Simon has almost doubled in four years. The average number of people in emergency accommodation in the north west has increased from 83 in 2020, to 112 in 2022. The number of child dependants in emergency accommodation has increased from 16 in January 2022, to 35 children this January. The number of eligible households already living in enforced sharing arrangements in the north west increased by 10.6% in the last year.

If it is proof that this Government is looking for, then I urge Members to look at the case of Emma and her daughter Michaela, who are watching us today. Emma has been in search of a house in Donegal for herself and her four children for five years now.

She has been unable to find anything accessible for her two children with disabilities. She has said, "It feels like we are being penalised for the fact that our children are disabled."

I challenge the Minister to face Emma and tell her the same regurgitated drivel we have been hearing continuously, namely, that the Government is delivering more social homes now than any Government did since 1975. This empty line means nothing to Emma and the many families across Donegal facing eviction and homelessness this weekend and who have absolutely no confidence in the Government. It is these families whom I am representing today.

See this speech in context