Violet-Anne Wynne (Clare, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the motion, as I do any motion that offers solutions to end homelessness. The motion covers eight main points and I will do my best to address them in the time afforded to me. I welcome any measure to increase the supply and pipeline of affordable housing. Shannon, County Clare, has a population of more than 10,000. People from all over the mid-west are employed there. The town provides third level education and has an international airport. Unfortunately, I often hear from employers who cannot get staff because there is nowhere for them to live. We need to build social and affordable housing at scale in this country and use all available resources. I met the Land Development Agency at the housing committee this afternoon. I welcome that its next phase will include towns such as Ennis and Shannon.

I welcome the various points made in respect of ending homelessness for children and those aged over 55 and increasing Housing First tenancies. To do so, however, we need to get the actual picture of the homeless crisis. The way the figures are based only on those accessing emergency accommodation, the number of whom is now at an all-time high, is flawed. It fails to grasp the true gravity of the crisis. How can we address the problem if the Government has not admitted how bad the problem is? We need to expand the definition of "homeless", as I have been suggesting to the Minister for the past year. I will continue to do so until I am blue in the face. Unless you have been homeless or at risk of facing homelessness, you have no idea of the mental and personal cost to you and your family, and that is the huge problem. Every person who is homeless matters. It is about time the Government recognised them.

It makes total sense to reinvest all moneys saved from emergency accommodation into homelessness prevention. I call on the Minister to provide additional step-down beds for those exiting refuges. Clare Haven Services has brought this up with me many times in recent years as its number one priority for housing. The lack of step-down beds is preventing women and children from accessing refuges and the support needed. The number of beds needs to be vastly increased.

I was happy to support the motion on the increase in stamp duty and investment funds. However, as I said at the time, I do not believe 21% is enough. Their pockets are deep and Government must get to the bottom of them.

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