Cathy Bennett (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The number of adults accessing emergency accommodation across the north-east region that comprises Louth, Cavan and Monaghan in a single week in January was 263. That is an increase of nearly one third on the same period last year. The number of children involved was 130, a near 70% increase year on year. What can the Government do?

The tenant in situ scheme is one mechanism that provides a vital protection for ordinary renters from having to face into the cruel and unyielding reality of a local rental market that simply does not have the stock to adequately meet demand let alone do so at a reasonable price. By facilitating local authorities in purchasing homes, not only does the scheme provide security of tenure for renters while increasing rental stock in general, it also prevents people from joining the growing list of those accessing already overstretched emergency accommodation services. The value of this scheme is that it has prevented more than 2,500 people from entering homelessness since April 2023. The Minister will face a significant test in the coming days.

Will he adequately fund this scheme for 2025 while reducing undue restrictions, or will he underutilise this crucial renters' protection against homelessness or even allow it to wither away? I commend my party colleague and Sinn Féin spokesperson on housing, Deputy Ó Broin, on bringing forward this motion to mandate the Government to ensure that local councils have the maximum funding available to operate this scheme and to reject undue restrictions that will serve only to exclude those who could benefit from this vital support.

As the housing crisis worsens year on year due to failed Government policy, I appeal to every Deputy in this Chamber to absolutely reject proposals that would see the deprioritisation of single people and couples without children from accessing this scheme. I urge every Deputy, and the Minister, to endorse this motion.

See this speech in context