Homelessness Unprecedented As Government  Confidence Vote Passes

Dublin South West representative Seán Crowe TD described the
Government’s vote of confidence in the Taoiseach Enda Kenny, on the
same day that Dublin Simon Community had said that the number of people
sleeping rough and in emergency accommodation had become a “humanitarian
crisis” as sickening.

Crowe said that the confidence vote was another indication that the
Government and its backbenchers were blind to the reality facing many
vulnerable individuals and families.

Deputy Crowe said;

“On the day that Simon the homeless charity quite rightly described the
Government’s response to the housing and homeless crisis as “too
little too late”, the Government proceeded to use its massive majority in
Leinster House and pass a vote of confidence in its leadership.

“Last year 1,600 individuals were stuck in emergency accommodation now
there are 2,298 – 1,275 of whom are children.

“On the day of the confidence vote in Taoiseach Enda Kenny the charity
said it counted 120 rough sleepers In Dublin, the highest number it
has recorded so far this year.

“People are living rough on our streets sleeping in doorways, in
parks, in tents and out in the open.

“This is a scandal which the Government and its backbenchers clearly
find acceptable – they either do nothing or else introduce policy
measures that make the situation worse

“What we need is action to ensure housing for all who need it and an
immediate increase in rent supplement and the Housing Assistance
Payment.

“We also need legislation to protect tenants in the Private Rental
Sector so they have greater rent certainty and increased security of
tenure.

“We have a national emergency on our hands which can only be solved by
direct and urgent intervention from government.

“We have a homeless humanitarian crisis and the government and its
backbencher in a brazen and breathtaking manner ignores reality and
sickeningly pats itself on the back.”