Rory Hearne (Dublin North-West, Social Democrats)

I thank the Labour Party for bringing forward this vital motion. It is unfortunate that the Government is opposing it. There are 5,014 children homeless in this country. When that number is thrown out, we often do not consider that each of those children is a child whose life is being damaged. It is equivalent to 220 primary school classes of children being homeless. Homelessness has doubled under this Government since 2021. These children and the 225,000 children in poverty are growing up experiencing what psychologists define as "an adverse childhood experience", which is something that causes trauma, stress and developmental delays and potentially has lifelong physical and mental health impacts on children. It is shameful that one child is homeless in a country that has never had such wealth. That there are 5,014 children homeless is an utter scandal. The truth is that Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael have never prioritised children. This includes the children who are made homeless and the children who are living in poverty. The Government has refused to put in place a ban on evictions because it is making housing policy for the big investor fund landlord lobby. This week is Simon week and it points out that prevention is what is needed. We need the ban on evictions, a properly resourced tenant in situ scheme and investment in prevention of homelessness to keep children in their communities where they have the support of family and friends.

A mother in my constituency who is facing homelessness because she is facing eviction from a rental home contacted me this week to tell me that Dublin City Council has told her that when she is evicted and needs emergency accommodation in the coming months, there will be no emergency accommodation available in Dublin. It is full. She will have to go to Meath, Kildare or Louth. How is her child going to go to school? How is she going to go to work? The housing crisis is absolutely out of control.

In recent weeks, I listened in disbelief to interviews with the former Taoiseach Leo Varadkar as he spoke about his time in office with no acknowledgement of the fact that he never prioritised tackling homelessness. The truth is that the Taoiseach, Micheál Martin; the current housing Minister; and previous housing Ministers from Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael can waffle on with hollow words about record economic growth and achievements, but the legacy of Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael after 100 years in power is an utter failure in their primary and most important task and responsibility, as set out in the Proclamation, to ensure all children are cherished equally and to guarantee the welfare of all children. There are 5,000 children homeless and 225,000 children living in poverty. This budget must invest in housing and in supporting those who are in poverty. We can end homelessness and child poverty. It is a question of political will.

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