Maire Devine (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I again wish to raise the issue of homelessness, particularly in light of the stark and depressing report published this morning by Focus Ireland. In the 2015 annual report, Sr. Stan wrote that she thought it was the worst year for family homelessness but she was dismayed that 2016 was even worse. A total of 28 units were opened this morning in Harold’s Cross. The Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government was there. I congratulate Focus Ireland on providing 28 homes for the elderly, the disabled and those threatened with homelessness. They are permanent homes, which is what is required. We need a strategy for permanent homes not hotels or hubs – homes for people to grow, nurture and live in. Focus Ireland, which provided 28 houses in Harold’s Cross and other houses that were delivered earlier this year, has built more social housing than the Government. That is truly shocking. Yesterday, in my constituency, Dublin South-Central, the Iveagh Trust opened 70 units for those aged over 55.

What is causing the delay with regard to the provision of social housing? There is a restriction on capital funding. The Government must release funds and cut back the red tape that is stifling the provision of such housing. What is happening is unacceptable.Thanks to red tape, the procurement process is killing off initiatives like the units that were to be built at St. Michael's estate but, like O'Devaney Gardens, will now not be realised until 2021. This is no longer an emergency but is an ongoing crisis. We have had five housing Ministers in recent times, each with little over one year in position. What sort of confidence can that give people? We need to grasp this issue, appoint an almost permanent housing Minister and stop playing around and hoping the problem goes away. Will the Leader invite the Minister to the Chamber and ask him to tackle the procurement process in particular by paring it back to six months? Let us rebuild Ireland.