Sorca Clarke (Longford-Westmeath, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Sinn Féin appreciates the value of this scheme which has provided shelter to those fleeing war and thanks should be given to the families who have opened up their homes, welcomed and provided refuge to Ukrainian families in their hour of need.

However, the further extension of the scheme, as the Minister is putting forward, creates an unacceptable level of competition for private rental properties at a time when pressure on this market has never been higher, and that incentivisation of displacing some private renters while affording an advantage to others is simply unfair.

The Minister spoke about this scheme being used to divert Ukrainians away from State-provided accommodation. To where exactly is that diversion taking place? In my constituency of Longford-Westmeath, the data shows that rental prices for new tenancies in Westmeath have increased substantially from quarter 3 2022 to quarter 3 2023 and Longford's rental prices of new tenancies has increased by 14.9%. This is at a time where the families in a complex of over 70 units in Kilbeggan are looking at eviction because the owner has indicated they are leaving the market, putting increasing pressure on a market that is simply unable to cope with today's requests.

Every day, all over the world, people make that really tough decision, the toughest decision of their life, to flee their homes in search of somewhere that is safer. Many of us here will never be able to imagine what that is like, but this is about fairness and balance.

As it stands, we cannot support the Government's motion that seeks to embed further inequality among those who are simply seeking a home for their families. We are completely opposed to the Government's proposal to force Ukrainians out of accommodation after 90 days because that will put those who are in areas of high rental prices at risk of homelessness but will also force further pressure on the areas where prices may be lower by increasing demand.

Government has failed to prepare for this. The fingers are being pointed at the Government and at those on that side of the House because of that failure to plan. Re-enforcing a bad decision with further bad decisions will not help anybody who is in need of a house. Sinn Féin's amendment is a sensible one. It will continue to support those who are already being hosted by Irish families and continue to provide those hosts with certainty. I ask the Minister to take on board this amendment.

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