Gabrielle McFadden (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

We are all concerned about the housing crisis.Nobody thinks it is okay for families to live in hotels or bed and breakfasts. It is not okay for parents to have to get their children up at 6.30 a.m. in a hotel, put them in civvy clothes, bring them downstairs to the dining room, feed them their breakfast, then bring them back upstairs, put on their uniforms and take them on two buses to get to school just because the hotel does not want children in school uniforms in the dining room in the morning. It is not okay.

We know that the biggest problem with housing is supply. No social housing was built for more than 15 years and that is why we have a crisis now. Houses are being built and more will be built this year. That is not enough, however. There are other ways in which we can help to ease this problem. One such aspect was contained in the action plan for housing developed by the then Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government, Deputy Coveney. I refer to the repair and lease scheme. That is a really good idea because there are many houses and flats over businesses empty and in a state of disrepair. A small amount of money would repair those units and allow them to be put into use. That is not happening, however. I drive down the quays on Wednesday or Thursday evening and I glance up and see empty housing units over businesses at street level. I always wonder why those properties are vacant and why are families not living in them. Last night's edition of "Claire Byrne Live" showed families living in hotels. That does not work and I cannot understand why that is the case.

I raised this issue previously with the Minister and he informed me of the vacant homes officers appointed to each local authority. Those officers are supposed to go around, find out why houses are vacant, find out if they can be put back into use and then help put them back into use. That does not seem to be working, however. I would like the Minister to come to this House and talk us through this issue. There is much bureaucracy and red tape. In the old days, vacant homes officers would take practical steps to get people into these homes. Now, there seem to be many more bureaucratic requirements to be gone through, including different forms and criteria to be met. That is happening when many people have to live in hotel rooms and bed and breakfasts. It is not good enough.

I ask, therefore, that the Leader use his good offices to see if the Minister will come to the House to have a discussion on the repair and lease scheme, with particular focus on the vacant homes officers in each county. My home county of Westmeath, for example, needs more than one vacant homes officer to look after Athlone, Mullingar, Kilbeggan and Moate.