Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Unfortunately, the relevant Minister has left. I hope the Minister, Deputy Humphreys, will be able to answer my question. Like other TDs, I draw her attention to a letter in which those in direct provision who have permission to stay were given an eviction notice for 5 July. In the particular case of which I am aware, both parents work. They have a child who has moved three times - from a war-torn country, down to County Tipperary, where they spent a year and a half, and three years in Galway, near where I live. That is just one example. They are going to be evicted on 5 July. The letter states that if they need emergency accommodation, they can contact a particular number. Galway has the most serious housing crisis. Not a single unit of accommodation is available under the housing assistance payment scheme or any discretionary scheme. There is no place for this family to go. They are embedded. Their case is just one of example. The woman got a mayor's award last year for her voluntary activities. She works and pays tax. So does her husband. The child attends special classes because they are so bright. This is just one example of the madness of the policy that is in place. Will the Minister do something about it?

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