Figures released today by the Department of Housing show that 3,962 children spent Christmas living in homeless emergency accommodation.
Commenting, Social Democrats housing spokesperson Cian O’Callaghan said:
“This is 520 more than December 2022 and a shocking 49 per cent increase since this Government has taken office.
“Growing up without a home can have devastating impacts on the development of a child. Education, friendships and family life all suffer without the basic stability of a place to call home.
“When is the Government going to treat this crisis with the urgency it deserves? Will there be another 520 children homeless next Christmas? This has to stop.
“There are measures that the Government should be taking to protect children from the trauma of growing up homeless.
“A ban on no-fault evictions should be immediately introduced so that families paying their rent can stay in their homes.
“We need to be building thousands of social and affordable homes every year so that families have a chance of securing a long-term stable home.
“Local authorities should be acquiring land through compulsory purchase orders to ensure a continuous supply of social and affordable homes for a growing population.
“This Government has turned its back on these children. There is no acceptable level of child homelessness, and we should be doing everything in our power to eradicate it completely.”
January 26, 2024