Sharon Keogan (Independent)

I wish to address the findings of the latest NOAC report. While there are many causes to be optimistic with this good report, I feel it is necessary, considering we are in the midst of a housing crisis, to highlight some of the more alarming findings. Let us look at the facts. Over 4,251 social housing units sat vacant at the end of 2024. Meanwhile, families are sleeping in cars, in emergency accommodation, or couch surfing, with no end in sight. The average re-letting time for these houses is between 35 and 56 weeks, the longest in over a decade. As for the cost, a staggering €105 million was spent to re-let just 3,375 units. That is just €31,000 per home and it is not just inefficient, it is disgraceful. In addition, 84.86% of inspected private rentals failed to meet basic standards. In some counties, over 99% were non-compliant. Yet the Government pats itself on the back, while tenants live in damp and unsafe conditions. While we are at it, let us talk about rental arrears. Even when tenants are struggling, the Government still expects local authorities to chase payments without giving them the tools to do so. In some counties, rent collection rates have dropped as low as 72%, yet there is no national strategy, no targeted support and no urgency. The problem is clear. The Government neither allocates the resources nor delegates the powers that local authorities need. Instead it centralises control, ties the hands of councillors and expects miracles from underfunded and overstretched teams. Enough is enough. It time to give our councils the funding, autonomy and respect they deserve. Let them do the job they were elected to do, because right now the only thing being built is bureaucracy and the only thing being housed is failure.