Ivana Bacik (Dublin Bay South, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I represent the Labour Party, the party of work and jobs, so there is no need to lecture our party on employment and full employment or even on being beyond full employment. Clearly, however, what is holding back the creation of jobs here now is the lack of availability of housing. It is holding back delivery of our public services, like education and healthcare, and is holding back our students who are trying to find somewhere close to their places of study where they can live in security. They cannot find it, and this is why they are marching today. Addressing vacancy and dereliction, particularly in public-owned buildings, should be the low-hanging fruit to be tackled and one way to address the housing crisis we are currently facing.

Last night, I hosted a public meeting in Rathmines with architect Duncan Stewart and local Labour Party representatives. People there had travelled from all over Dublin because they felt so passionately about the need to see concerted Government action to tackle the scourge of vacancy and dereliction across their communities. I say this because we are seeing it in every urban centre. What we are not seeing is sufficient urgency and ambition from the Government to tackle this issue. The Taoiseach has given a few positive local examples, and these are welcome, of where buildings are being brought back into use. I am aware efforts are under way in Dublin City Council to do the same. What we are lacking, however, is a concerted, central campaign from central government to bring State-owned properties back into use for accommodation for students, nurses and workers-----

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