Sinéad Gibney (Dublin Rathdown, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

We know that while everyone feels the pressure of the housing crisis, there are particular groups who face the most brutal aspects of it. The crisis really has seeped into the life of every Irish person, but some people feel it worse than others. Those individuals are more likely to become homeless. They then struggle to get out of homelessness. I am talking about Travellers, migrants, those suffering with addiction, those with disabilities, the elderly and children. Today, however, I want to talk about one particular group that faces massive barriers when it comes to accessing housing or living with the risk of homelessness. I refer to one-parent families.

Since becoming a TD, time and again I have heard the stories of single parents who are renting who can never aspire to own their homes. This is because they are on one income and have children who are solely reliant on them. I have heard their stress and their worry about how unstable their situations are and how an eviction notice could land on the mat in the morning.

I have also heard from parents who have had to face the reality of being unable to find another property for them and their children, having to put their children in new schools or commuting two hours a day because that is the closest emergency accommodation they can get. They are trying to balances their jobs, their children and the pressing need to find and keep a roof over their heads, and they are doing it all alone.

Focus Ireland found that 57% of homeless families in this country are one-parent families. One of the parents interviewed for that report had the following to say:

I never thought I would end up homeless. I had a job; I was doing okay. Then my landlord sold the house, and suddenly we were in a hotel room. My kids ask me every day when we will have a home again. I don't have an answer.

Another stated:

Childcare is impossible. I want to work, but how can I when I can't afford it and there's no support? It feels like the system is set up to keep us stuck.

Muna bhfuilimid in ann tacú leis na tuismitheoirí seo agus a bpáistí, ní bheimid in ann comhionannas a fháil sa Stát seo. Tá an córas atá againn ag daoine ar na sráideanna agus á gcoinneáil ann. Caithfear dul i ngleic leis an bhfáinne fí seo.

All across the country, people are trapped in a cycle of homelessness due to the failure of this Government's policies. I refer to those who are served eviction notices and are unable to find somewhere else that they can afford for their families. I also refer to lone parents in particular who are unable to do anything about their lower incomes and who are locked out of work due to the cost of childcare and locked out of the property market on foot of house prices that the Government is keen to continue to allow to rise.

I will end with a final quote from the Focus Ireland survey, namely:

It's the stigma that hurts the most. People look at you differently when you say you're in emergency accommodation. I feel like I've failed my children, even though I'm doing everything I can.

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