Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

The Taoiseach's comments on homelessness yesterday were shameful. They were beneath him and his office. In Dublin alone, the number of homeless families increased by 33% last year. I was at a Society of St. Vincent de Paul briefing earlier and there has been a 65% increase in homelessness for children in the past year alone. For the Taoiseach to home in on what he homed in on yesterday in the broader context of the homelessness crisis does not make sense. Because he is apparently outraged about it being referenced this morning, I will quote him so he does not say I am misrepresenting what he said. He is quoted as saying there are "lots of people in emergency accommodation [and] have refused multiple offers of social housing." He is homing in on that, even though there is a whole other big picture in relation to homelessness. As the Taoiseach, he cannot say things like that and then feign outrage when people hear exactly the same thing. Will the Taoiseach please reconsider his comments from yesterday?

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