Cian O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay North, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

When the Government took office, there were 8,699 people living in emergency accommodation for the homeless. That was far too many. The figure did not include people sleeping rough, including in cars, tents and parks and on floors and couches. Since then, there has been a 43% increase in the number of people who are homeless. They now number 12,441, including 3,699 children.

Unfortunately, in moving his amendment to the motion, the Minister barely gave homeless people a mention. He did mention them but it was barely a mention. What is really offensive is that the Government's amendment proposes to delete the following words from the motion:

[That Dáil Eireann] further notes with extreme concern that:

— adult homelessness has increased by 44 per cent and child homelessness has increased by 39 per cent since this Government was formed, meaning last month the total number of people in Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage-funded emergency accommodation was 12,441, including 3,699 children;

Why does the Government want to delete that from the motion? There is passing mention in its amendment to homeless people but no recognition of the numbers or the reality of homelessness. What does it say to people in homelessness that the Government is moving an amendment to a motion to delete reference to the reality of the numbers of homeless people in this country? The Minister can shake his head but that is exactly what he is doing.

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