Charles Ward (Donegal, 100% Redress Party)

I thank the Labour Party for bringing forward this motion today. I fully support it, particularly its call for budget 2026 to commit €630 million towards measures to relieve child poverty and homelessness, as well as its call on the Government to introduce a total ban on evictions of children into homelessness, and the legislation to prioritise housing needs of homeless families. As a member of the children's committee, it has been devastating to hear about the rising levels of child poverty in this country. The Children's Rights Alliance has reported that over a quarter of a million children experienced enforced deprivation in Ireland in 2024, showing just how prevalent this issue of child poverty is. As a parent, it is unimaginable that over a quarter of a million children lack a warm home, a nutritious meal or a winter coat in this day and age. It is unimaginable that over 5,000 children in this country are currently homeless. It makes me sick to my stomach to think so many children are without a bed or a home at night. The Government's lack of intervention is even more sickening. How can we sit back and allow this to continue? Homelessness has devastating long-term negative effects on children's physical and mental health. We know that children who have experienced homelessness are more likely to have health problems, poor academic performance, higher rates of depression, anxiety and behaviour disorders, and are more likely to go hungry and experience developmental delays. This will cause social and health issues for decades to come. We must act now.

We are already seeing the devastating impact on children in my constituency of Donegal. Hundreds of children in Donegal face homelessness. Hundreds are facing living in crumbling, unsafe homes due to the defective concrete crisis. The sense of security and belonging that a home is supposed to provide has been stripped away from these children. As the walls crumble beneath them, they are forced to live in homes and try to maintain their lives when everything around them is falling apart. It is extremely psychologically damaging to the children and their parents. They lie awake every night wondering how they are going to manage the roof over their heads crumbling, constant fear, worry and anxiety. While substantial harm has already been caused, we need to prevent this psychological damage. We need to act now on the defective concrete Act. I urge the Minister in his role to please meet with these families and listen to them, and get this sorted out once and for all.

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