Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Ceann Comhairle for the opportunity to speak on this Bill. I would like to voice my opposition to how this legislation has been introduced and progressed through the House. We were told just last week we would take Second Stage today and proceed through Committee and Remaining Stages tomorrow.

Our legislative process was not designed to be rushed through in this way. All Stages should be given their own slot and ample time for scrutiny in the Dáil and Seanad. TDs were also only made aware this would be the case after the amendment deadline had passed, which was completely unacceptable. This was raised by me and others at the Business Committee last week. How are we supposed to do our jobs as legislators when this Government refuses to engage in the democratic process? I have raised this issue many times during this Government’s term, but it is clear it has no care for or interest in the legislative process. If the shoe was on the other foot, I have no doubt Fine Gael, Fianna Fáil and Green Party TDs would be expressing the exact same concerns from the Opposition benches. Opposition input into and scrutiny of legislation that will have an impact on so many in our country is vitally important and time should be made to allow this.

There is no doubt the lack of housing is the biggest issue we face at the moment and one that affects every single person in some way. In particular, there is a severe shortage of affordable housing. Last week I raised the fact that in Donegal, prices in the third quarter of 2024 were 12% higher than the previous year and that the average price of a home in Donegal is now a massive 65% above the level seen at the start of the Covid-19 pandemic. This week the Myhome.ie property price report has shown property prices in counties Sligo, Leitrim and Donegal continue to rise, with prices in Donegal increasing by over €15,000. In a survey from the Real Estate Alliance published two weeks ago, Donegal saw the highest increase of the three north-western counties, with the average price of three-bedroom semi-detached houses increasing by 3% in the past three months alone, from €165,000 to €170,000.

Despite what the Government claims, it is clear things will only get worse as prices continue to rise and the Government refuses to do anything about it. This legislation to remove the requirement for approved housing bodies to apply for registration and to be permanently registered certainly is not going to address the problem either. We should not be forced to rely on approved housing bodies to provide much-needed public housing. The fact there are 441 approved housing bodies operating in the country at the minute shows it just does not make any sense. Our local councils should be given the funding and support necessary to ensure those in need of housing are able to secure housing, no matter their income. There is no doubt the public housing income level threshold is far too low, especially in Donegal where people have to be making below €30,000 to be considered for public housing. This is ridiculously low and it does not make sense that this has not increased along with the minimum wage, except that the Government wants to manage the housing lists to keep them as low as possible to make it look like it is actually doing something.

Everyone, no matter their income, should be entitled to public housing if they have a housing need. Everyone should have access to a roof over their head. It is the most basic human need, but families on the minimum wage should have access to it in particular given the lack of affordable housing available. This is what this Government should be focusing on as well as ensuring councils are being funded to provide sufficient housing, rather than just supporting voluntary housing bodies.

See this speech in context