Catherine Ardagh (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Government's move to take in 25 migrants from the Lifeline, the ship that is stranded off the coast of Malta. However, we should be taking in more. It is time for the House to have an open and honest debate about our immigration policies and our implementation of same. This is one of the greatest issues facing not just Ireland, but Europe, so it is incumbent on us to be proactive rather than reactive in terms of proposed immigration policies.

I welcome the extension of the work permit to migrants, but we need to do more. The House needs to have a debate so that Senators can express their views openly and honestly. We must ensure that a proper and constructive framework is in place to deal with issues facing migrants, including access to housing, education and work permits. This debate should be facilitated urgently.

I have raised the issue of housing every week in the Chamber. More than 85,000 households are awaiting social housing. Many of these are in receipt of the housing assistance payment, HAP. Nearly 10,000 people are in homelessness, including almost 4,000 children. Rent pressure zones and other rent support mechanisms are not working, given that rents are increasing rapidly and HAP cannot keep pace. There are large landbanks around this city, including those at St. Michael's Estate in Inchicore, which have been left idle for more than a decade and on which we are awaiting social housing and community amenities to be built.

We need to rethink our housing models. We must build social and affordable housing on State-owned lands, but this does not seem to be happening quickly enough. It needs to be made a priority. I call on the Minister to attend the House to tell us what he is doing about St. Michael's Estate and inform us of his general policies and plans for social and affordable housing in this city.