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

I appeal to Government to consider a ban on no-fault evictions. I have looked at the research on rental markets. I heard the Tánaiste say there is fear that this would shrink the rental market but the evidence indicates that it would help to grow the rental market. That fear is unfounded.

There were only 35 exits from homelessness in County Clare in the period from 15 June to 22 August. There are huge capacity issues and the local authority is saying that demand for accommodation in the county is too high. Over 100 households are overstaying with family. As a result of the lack of legislation to recognise that they are homeless, they are not being prioritised. What happens is that all of the households are treated as one household, which affects social welfare entitlements, never mind the disproportionate impact it has on relationships. There is also a delay in people accessing their white goods grants. This is preventing people from exiting homelessness. I cannot get people into emergency accommodation. I have a number of cases where people have been sleeping in their cars for longer than three weeks. I have talked about the cold weather initiative and the likelihood that it will be opened up, but there is no willingness to do so at this point for the individuals in question. I am dealing with one case involving a lady who is six months pregnant and due to give birth in December. Will the Taoiseach consider banning no-fault evictions?

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