The seemingly never-ending torrent of increases in homeless numbers shows the government lost complete control of housing long ago, according to Social Democrats housing spokesperson Rory Hearne.
Deputy Hearne made his comments as a new record high for homelessness was confirmed this afternoon:
“Today’s figures show there were 16,614 people living in homeless emergency accommodation at the end of September. Shockingly, 5,238 of them are children. These record numbers are a shameful indictment of a government that continues to deprioritise homelessness.
“These numbers are the direct result of policy choices made by the government. This is what happens when you do not protect vulnerable renters, or prevent them from becoming homeless.
“After almost six years of Fianna Fáil Housing Ministers, the homelessness crisis continues to spiral.
“Even Fianna Fáil backbenchers agree that the government is failing to get to grips with housing.
“There has been a complete and utter failure to prioritise those in and facing homelessness, showing an abhorrent lack of compassion.
“Based on any evaluation of government housing policy, preventing homelessness is clearly not a focus for the Minister.
“As incriminating as today’s numbers are, they fall short of encompassing the thousands of people experiencing hidden homelessness – without prioritising prevention, thousands more will fall into housing hardship.
“Almost 10,000 notices to quit were issued in the first six months of this year – only an eviction ban can effectively prevent these families from losing the roof over their heads.
“These numbers are real families and real children experiencing serious trauma day in and day out – their plight cannot be ignored any longer.
“Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael policy has created this disaster by privatising social housing delivery to the private rental market. In parallel, they have allowed rents to rise astronomically to incentivise investor funds.
“Government paralysis on housing cannot continue. We need to see an immediate rent freeze and rent reduction mechanisms put in place, alongside a ramping-up of social and affordable housing delivery, to end the State’s over-reliance on HAP.”
October 31st, 2025