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

For the past decade, with the exception of the period when Covid measures were in place, the number of people accessing emergency accommodation has been rising. There are 46 properties to rent in the entirety of my constituency, which is two counties, namely Longford and Westmeath. A very basic two-bedroom property is now well over €1,000 per month and an actual shed is €270 per week. The Department's homeless report showed that from January 2024 to January 2025 there has been a 17% increase in adults accessing emergency accommodation in Westmeath. The figure in Longford has remained static. This is cold comfort to the couple yesterday who were refused bed and breakfast vouchers for themselves and their four-month-old baby and who had literally no idea where they were to spend the night. The emerging trend of parents with young children seeking emergency accommodation being threatened with referrals to Tusla is nothing less than repugnant. These parents are incredibly aware of the difficult position they are in - they are literally living it - yet the tenant in situ scheme, which has prevented some 2,500 households from becoming homeless has been in turmoil and there are hundreds of applications left in limbo. Any effort to restrict this scheme will put greater numbers of people at risk of homelessness and disincentivise landlords from engaging.

Sinn Féin fully supports the tenant in situ scheme. Our alternative housing plan proposed funding 2,000 acquisitions in 2025 and 6,500 in total over five years. We want this scheme to continue and we want it to continue with the current rules with no new restrictions and the same levels of funding because the Minister has an obligation to protect those vulnerable families that are so desperately in need of long-term secure homes.

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