Ivana Bacik (Dublin Bay South, Labour)

Of course increasing supply is a huge part of resolving the housing crisis. We will be putting forward constructive, costed proposals in our alternative budget next week, just as we did in our manifesto last year, on how to increase the supply. The reality is that the Government has not met its own targets on house building. The Minister knows that.

On the tenant in situ scheme, of course it was a safety net that was introduced. We all agree it should have been introduced; however, the Government has gutted it, filleted it, so it is simply ineffective. All of us, including the Minister’s own backbenchers, are hearing it.

Our Labour Party motion tomorrow is putting forward practical, constructive ways in which the Government can address the specific issue of child homelessness.

The Minister said he is not going to announce budget proposals now. The Government could, however, take two of the steps we are calling on it to take in the motion we have tabled for tomorrow, which I hope it will support. Those steps do not involve budget proposals and could be taken now. One, will the Government pass our Labour Party Bill to protect families with children from homelessness and, two, will it restore the ban on no-fault evictions where children are involved? That simple measure would be a stopgap for sure, but it would offer struggling, despairing families some immediate safety net and respite.

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