Fintan Warfield (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I apologise that I must leave the Order of Business early. The Government has once again demonstrated that it is unwilling or unable to deal with the housing crisis. This weekend, a Government memo confirmed a housing budget underspend of almost €500 million so far this year. Just days ago, the Minister finally acknowledged what most independent experts and Sinn Féin have been saying for a long time, namely, the targets the Government is setting are too low. The Government effectively admitted that even if it meets its low targets, the crisis will continue. Yet it continues to fail to meet even these modest targets. Houses, much like Dublin buses, disappear off the radar, never to be accounted for again.

Unfortunately, with each year of under-supply, the overall housing need increases further. We have now met an unprecedented point in the housing crisis. In the last 12 months rents across the State have increased by an average of 14% to an average of €1,688. In Dublin, the average rent is now €2,258 a month. Six education trade unions have this week issued a joint statement that the effective delivery of education is now fundamentally at risk because of the housing crisis. Schools and colleges cannot recruit and retain critical staff. They cannot get teachers. Children in emergency or unsuitable accommodation struggle to find a place to do their homework. Many young people are deferring their further education due to lack of accommodation.

The Minister may deny that this is an emergency. Sinn Féin will table a motion in the Dáil calling for a housing emergency to be declared. People will take to the streets on Saturday making their voices heard at the Raise the Roof rally. I commend them on it. It is time for the Government to listen to the people on the street, declare a housing emergency and introduce measures to help those struggling.