Housing strategy and homelessness
Dessie Ellis asks that the forthcoming housing strategy address the growing homelessness crisis and be debated alongside the housing Bill. The Tánaiste says the housing regulation Bill is expected next year and will seek more information.
The Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Alan Kelly, has indicated that a housing strategy document and plan will be introduced shortly to address the crisis in housing. This applies particularly to the homeless crisis, given that between 30 and 40 new families are coming into the homeless section every month. People are being sent to hotels to queue for places. A second housing Bill will be introduced. Could the strategy be brought forward and debated at the same time? We must get down and discuss the issue.
Comment on this
The housing regulation Bill is due for publication next year. There has been some discussion and criticism of the impact of regulation and how changes might help to speed up the building and delivery of houses. I do not have a date for the Bill, but I will talk to the Minister and come back to the Deputy on it.