Emergency response to family homelessness
Deputy Broughan sought immediate action for homeless families facing a shortage of accommodation, especially before the St Patrick’s Day weekend. The Taoiseach cited the Government’s social-housing programme, NAMA-funded refurbishment of vacant units and forthcoming planning legislation.
My question relates to the Planning and Development (No. 1) Bill and the Planning and Development (No. 2) Bill. Last week, something like 40 homeless families presented to the homeless unit in Parkgate Street but there was no accommodation for them. We are now heading into the St Patrick's Day weekend when hotels and guesthouses are full. There are hundreds of homeless families in this city. The Taoiseach is going abroad to represent us yet this incredible problem and suffering, particularly for children-----
Comment on this
Will the Taoiseach and the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government bring forward an emergency programme to address this problem, particularly in view of the fact that it is giving rise to intolerable suffering among children? Will the Taoiseach ensure that action is taken today before he leaves the country?
Comment on this
Deputy Broughan is aware that the Government has a €4 billion programme for social housing which is due to run until 2020.
Comment on this
What does the Taoiseach propose to do today?
Comment on this
We are moving forward with NAMA and money is being provided to renovate void units in Dublin in order to make them suitable for habitation. It is our intention to get on with that business, which is already under way. The planning and development (No. 1) Bill is due this session.
Comment on this
It is a pity Deputy Ellis was not so talkative regarding the "Spotlight" programme.