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

Housing is often discussed in the Chamber but, too often, we do not discuss the reality of it and the real-life impact this crisis has on people's lives. The Irish Examiner spoke with some of these people this week. Kelly-Anne Healy is aged 37 and lives at home with her parents in Blackpool, Cork. She has worked since she was a teenager and always thought if she worked hard enough she would one day own a home of her own, but that dream is rapidly fading. She said, "When you’re single, people think you have this fancy life, but there’s not much you can do from your childhood bedroom." Kelly-Anne's living situation is also taking a toll on her parents who see their daughter struggling. She said, "My dad is the biggest worrier in the world and I know it’s difficult for him seeing me so stressed."

Jennifer Manifold is aged 45 and still living in a house share with two housemates in Cork. Despite working full time, she has no hope of buying and cannot even afford to rent on her own. Jennifer said her living situation is "depressing". She tries not to think about what would happen if she were evicted. She said, "This is creating such anxiety ... . This is something that many people in a position of power would not be able to understand.”

Christina Galvin is 51 years old and may have to emigrate because of the housing disaster. Christina said she has a good salary but most of it goes on rent for her one-bedroom apartment in Galway. She feels huge stress and, tragically, shame because of her housing situation. She said, “I am beyond outrage. I am despairing."

Kelly-Anne, Jennifer and Christina are just three of the tens of thousands of people who are suffering because of the housing disaster. Tens of thousands of people are enduring the same trauma with their every waking moment consumed with dread and fear. Without housing security, your whole life feels unmoored. It feels as if there is no place for you in society, that your life is passing you by, and that you are missing opportunities to start a relationship, family or new career. There is also helplessness and frustration because you cannot do anything about it. Worst of all, some people feel shame, as if they are the failure. The reality is not being able to pay rack-rents or record house prices is not a personal failure. It is due to a failed Government housing plan and a shameful refusal to admit it.

We learned yesterday that house prices have gone up again, by a further 6%. As house prices continue to soar, the Government continues to miss its affordable housing targets. Last year, it managed to deliver just 499 affordable purchase homes and just 966 cost-rental homes. That is less than 1,500 affordable homes when the target was 5,500. Will the Tánaiste please explain why the Government is not meeting its affordable housing targets? Will he explain it to people such as Kelly-Anne, Jennifer, Christina and everybody else out there who are in similar situations?

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