Housing Minister Darragh O’Brien should immediately publish the latest homelessness figures
Comments made by Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin in relation to homelessness figures have been described as tone deaf by Social Democrats housing spokesperson Cian O’Callaghan.
“During an interview on Virgin Media News, Mr Martin said he hoped to see homelessness figures coming down within the next 12 months.
“This will come as cold comfort to the thousands of families and individuals who will be waking up on Christmas Day in emergency homeless accommodation.
“Mr Martin is not a casual bystander to this crisis. It is his party that has held the housing portfolio for the past four and a half years, during which time homelessness figures have skyrocketed.
“He needs to outline what Fianna Fáil will do in the next 12 months that they have failed to do during their time in government.
“When the outgoing government was formed in June 2020, there were 8,699 people in homeless emergency accommodation, 2,653 of them children.
“There are now 14,760 people living in homeless emergency accommodation. Shamefully, 4,561 of these are children – a 72 per cent increase since Darragh O’Brien became Minister for Housing.
“Out of the 52 monthly homeless reports during their tenure, homelessness has increased 41 times and a new grim record has been set 23 times. The latest figures, due to be published on election day tomorrow, are expected to show a further rise.
“Housing Minister Darragh O’Brien should immediately publish the latest homelessness figures – and come clean with the electorate about the full extent of his failure on this issue in advance of polling day.
“We cannot afford to re-elect the same government with the same failed policies. With the country set to go to the polls tomorrow, the latest homelessness figures will serve as a timely reminder of what is at stake in this election.”
28 November, 2024
ENDS