Paul Lawless (Mayo, Aontú)

The population is now more than 5.4 million. Last year, over 25,000 immigrants arrived into this country. That is a net figure of more than 60,000 people. In one year, that is equates to the population of Sligo, Ennis and Castlebar. Yet, this Government has failed to deliver the necessary infrastructure to sustain that level of development. Over the past five years, just over 100,000 houses were built, with a net migration figure of almost 400,000. This is basic arithmetic that the Government fails to understand. It is very frustrating for people right across the country.

In the past number of weeks, students across Ireland have found it incredibly difficult to find accommodation. When we drill into the numbers, we see that the universities are engaging in a very expansionist approach to the international student cohort. Over 40,000 international student visas issued, representing an increase of more than 30% in the past four years. Almost 40,000 working visas were issued last year. Ten years ago, that figure was about 10,000 per year. We all are aware of the massive acceleration and surge in IPAS numbers. It is very simple: the capacity of the economy is simply unable to cope with this huge increase. A Savills report recently outlined that the ratio of housing delivery to population growth was 1:4, which represents one of the worst ratios in the western world. Yet, the Government and many in this House fail to recognise some of the issues before us.

If you fail to prepare, you prepare to fail. On the issue of migration, that is what successive Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael Governments have done. The Government has no plan. It has created chaos in housing and services and for the wonderful families and young people across Ireland. It is unacceptable. Essentially, its policy amounts to pouring a gallon into a pint and it is unsustainable.

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