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

I was very saddened to hear of the passing of Michael O'Regan at the weekend. He had a huge love of and interest in politics. On a personal level, he was also very warm, humorous and kind. I extend my condolences to his family, friends and colleagues.

The Children's Rights Alliance, in its annual report card, gave the Government a D-minus for family homelessness. Child homelessness has risen by 55% since this Government took office. We now have nearly 4,000 children growing up in emergency accommodation. There has been a 20% increase in family homelessness in the past year alone. How, four years into the lifetime of this Government, are we still seeing so many lives devastated by homelessness? How is solving this crisis not the primary focus of the Government?

Homelessness has a hugely damaging impact on children's mental and physical health. This can last a lifetime. Children who are homeless are more likely to be bullied, are less likely to see their friends and are twice as likely to be hospitalised. Real and lasting damage is being done to more children every day, month and year. Instead of moving heaven and earth to end child homelessness, the Government withdrew one of the only measures to stop it. It lifted the no-fault eviction ban, knowing what the result would be, namely, more children evicted into homelessness. The Government did it anyway.

I ask the Taoiseach not to tell us that the Government cannot build homes overnight. We have been listening to Fine Gael say that for more than a decade now. When the Government's plan is not working, it needs to change it. First, however, it has to admit that it is not working.

When the Government will not even do that, is it any wonder that people are losing hope.

There are solutions that could be adopted tomorrow if the political will were there: a return of the no-fault eviction ban, a rent freeze and a tax on vacancy that has real teeth. Houses should not be lying idle in the middle of this housing disaster, but they are, all across the country. Instead of solutions to this crisis all we get is constant spin. The Taoiseach says we have turned a corner and we have exceeded our targets. Simultaneously, the Government has failed to meet its social and affordable housing targets every year since it took office. That is the reality. We do not yet know the complete figures for 2023, but the Government had only reached 29% of its social housing targets by September, so it is not looking good.

Did the Government meet its social and affordable housing targets last year? Is there any level of child homelessness that would prompt the Taoiseach to reintroduce the ban on no-fault evictions?

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