Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Prolonging the eviction ban also ran the risk of even greater difficulty arising when it ended. That is the reason the Government made what we accept was a difficult decision, one that has been the subject of much explanation in the House and debate elsewhere.

I wish to challenge Deputy Bacik on one point. She stated that our provision of 11,800 social homes, which is our ambition for this year after delivering against our social housing targets last year, was cold comfort to those who might not be able to access that accommodation. I accept that is the case. I accept that there are more people who need support, which is why the Government is putting funding into providing that support but for those who are accessing these new homes and have the opportunity to live in them, their provision is anything but cold comfort. I have seen that at first-hand, with families moving into accommodation that has been funded either directly via the State through Dublin City Council or through approved housing bodies. This is why we are so committed to building more social and affordable housing this year, which we will do to provide more homes to those who need the support that we want to deliver.

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