Frances Black (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I want to highlight the issue I raised last week. I was on Molesworth Street a few minutes ago at the peaceful protest by the "My Name Is" campaign around the homelessness situation, at which there was a huge crowd. We really need to look at this issue because people are starting to get tired of the fact they do not see any change. We have to address the issue around homelessness. People are dying on the streets. I know I am repeating myself when I say that over 3,500 children are going to be homeless this Christmas. It is freezing out there, so enough is enough. We have to prioritise this. A national emergency has to be called on the homelessness issue. People are homeless all over the country, not just in Dublin, although I know the numbers are higher in Dublin.

Will the Leader invite in the Minister to give us some kind of progress report on what is going on? People want to know what is being done. I ask that the Minister would come in to give us a progress report because we need to know if this is a priority and if an emergency is being called, given I believe it is a crisis. People are not happy and are constantly contacting me, as are the media. I should not be the one they are contacting because they are asking me what is going on and I do not know. I ask the Leader to bring in the Minister to give us an update on what is going on in regard to the homelessness crisis in this country.