Sharon Keogan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I wish to bring up the issue of housing and its impact on young people as well as our ongoing emigration crisis. Many people are already aware that the housing crisis is making life impossible for young Irish people, especially those just leaving college, yet, as always, we need to be reminded of this issue. For example, a recent article in District Magazine found that many young people are having their ability to form romantic relationships sabotaged by the crisis. Many cannot progress or even begin relationships since they live with their parents. This is the case for over 40% of working Irish people between the ages of 25 and 34, according to an EU study. In other cases, many young couples are forced to move in together far too early in their relationship just so they can have somewhere to stay. Most nations across Europe and the western world are currently facing emigration crises. The Irish Government seems to have outdone itself in terms of mismanagement as we appear to be one of the only nations on earth facing simultaneous immigration and emigration crises. Since a recent study found strong indications that less than a fifth of the tenants in the Dublin market are Irish, I call on the Minister for Justice and the Minister for housing to say what they are willing to do to solve these twin issues. Are the Ministers even willing to acknowledge that these two issues are connected in the first place?

Finally, regarding the question of emigration, what is the Government willing to do about the fact that many Irish people take their training and academic degrees from this State and leave? Does the Government not intend to place some minimum timeframe and requirement on teaching graduates, for example, to give back to their country? At a bare minimum, will the Government consider putting a cap on the sabbaticals of recent graduates?