Aubrey McCarthy (Independent)

I appreciate the reply. One line stands out and I am excited about it where he said, “Addressing homelessness, and in particular homeless families and children, is a key priority for the Minister”.

I am slightly concerned in dealing with the people through my voluntary work. I would welcome the Minister to come to Pearse Street, which is fairly close by, to meet some of the people I have spoken about and to realise they are not just statistics. We can do more and can do better to resolve the problem. At the moment home ownership seems like an impossible dream for many and it seems that we are missing out on a generation of homeowner. This evening, 5,145 children are doing their homework in emergency accommodation, with no play area and of course without being able to have their friends over etc. Even the results of that will be seen in the future. If we are serious about solving the housing crisis, we have to prepare to be stronger and use urgent measures.

I want the Minister, Deputy James Browne, to be the most successful housing Minister. I want this to work. I do not want to criticise just for the sake of gaining political capital. I want to be there so that if there is anything we can do, even as a Seanad, to improve the housing situation, we are totally behind the Minister.