Fintan Warfield (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Senator Jerry Buttimer spoke about how we in the Chamber can all share stories about the housing crisis. I certainly would not make apologies - I would not expect him to either - for expressing the needs and concerns of those most marginalised.

Sinn Féin is in government in the North and works at local government level too. One of the first events at which I met Senator Paudie Coffey was when he was Minister of State. It was at the launch of the Valhalla sheltered housing development in the heart of Clondalkin two years ago. Since that time, however, those on the South Dublin County Council housing list continue a nine-year wait for social housing. We made decisions in South Dublin County Council which had 300 houses ready to go. Despite our local authorities doing their utmost, they cannot do it alone.

Queues of residents, homeless people, students and young people hoping to find a room are commonplace in Dublin city. Every week night, the effect of years of policy inaction, which started well in advance of the Government's term, is visible as crowds gather to rent a property or room, some with deposits in hand, in the hope of their names and references being accepted by landlords. Now online property and rental sites feature rooms with multiple bunks. Staggering homeless figures are evidence of the horrific effect of our lack of affordable rental options.

The Minister, Deputy Simon Coveney, referred to the scenario facing students who need housing every September. He said it affects 25,000 young people, but I have heard the figure is more likely to be 50,000. Market stability should be the long-term goal with meaningful rental options on offer. Rent certainty gives students, young people and homeless people security and a stake in a rental market that has all but left them behind. I encourage Senators from all parties to take significant and meaningful action tonight by voting for this Bill which supports affordability and tenancy rights, as well as what the organisations on the ground are telling us, namely, that certainty can be the start of a significant process in solving this crisis.

Yesterday afternoon, the tax and spend measures announced in the budget showed Fine Gael continuing the same failed housing policies which have dominated public policy for decades. The Minister for Finance's first-time buyer's scheme is available on homes up to the value of €600,000, a measure which will only drive prices higher. It is quite telling the Government thinks struggling first-time buyers will consider a house purchase of between €400,000 to €600,000. The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform's increase in capital investment in social housing of €105 million will deliver only 900 new houses. That is not combined with the extra €17 million to be given to the housing associations which will deliver only 100 extra social houses. Sinn Féin believes the losers are once again those without a home and those struggling to keep their own.