Sinn Féin spokesperson on Agriculture, Matt Carthy TD, has called on the Minister for Agriculture to take urgent steps to ensure that agricultural students can have access to the state support schemes provided to other students including those arising from Covid-19.
Teachta Carthy said:
“Agricultural students are unable to access financial supports such as the Student Hardship Fund. This is because Teagasc Agricultural Colleges fall under the remit of the Department of Agricultural, while all relevant support schemes fall under the Department of Higher Education.
“The exclusion of agricultural students from these vital supports is unacceptable and must be reversed.
“Students at the Teagasc colleges face the same challenges as all other students face, they deserve the same level of support.
“Weeks have passed since Minister McConalogue indicated to me that he was considering this matter but we have heard nothing since.
“I will not be letting this matter rest – the Minister for Agriculture needs to act now to ensure that students in our agricultural colleges have access to both the Student Hardship Fund on a permanent basis, and the Covid Payment Scheme”.
ENDS
Parliamentary Question & Response; 3rd November 2020:
Question:
Matt Carthy TD
Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps that have been taken to resolve the exclusion of agricultural students from third level supports provided to other students during the pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32641/20]
Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine:
I am acutely conscious of the importance of supporting students during this very difficult and unprecedented period for our country. Teagasc agricultural colleges reopened in September with COVID measures implemented for the safety of learners and staff. Course delivery is based on a hybrid model with practical instruction being delivered face to face and theory being delivered online in line with developments elsewhere in the education sector.
It would appear that, as Teagasc fall under the remit of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Teagasc are not eligible for inclusion in funding from the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science generally or in the context of specific COVID 19 grants made available by that Department through the HEA and SOLAS to ‘higher and further education’ providers under their remit. That Department is at present considering how best to support 3rd level students with the €50m fund announced in Budget 2021.
However, my Department is currently making the case for the inclusion of Teagasc in the €50 million fund announced by the Department of Further and Higher Education to provide financial assistance to third level students in recognition of the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on this group, and consequent increases in online learning.
Sinn Féin MLA Martina Anderson has said the criteria for a COVID-19 support payment for taxi drivers should be changed urgently so all drivers can receive the support they need.
Martina Anderson said:
"At a special meeting of the Infrastructure Committee today we heard directly from taxi drivers about the extreme financial pressure they are under and the urgent need to get support.
"Representatives from the industry set out clearly how some drivers were forced to suspend their taxi insurance in order to have money to be able to put food on the table to feed their families. The choice was that stark.
"It doesn't make sense that they should now be denied the COVID-19 support grant from the Department of Infrastructure for making that choice.
"The fact that the drivers who are most in need are being denied this payment is totally at odds with the concept of the rationale for the grant.
"The criteria needs to be changed urgently so money can get into the pockets of taxi drivers who need it most."
Sinn Féin MLA Órlaithí Flynn has expressed frustration at the ongoing lack of a dual mental health and addiction service provision within health trusts.
Speaking after a meeting of the Assembly All-Party Group, the West Belfast MLA said:
“There is clearly a need for a dual-diagnosis service that addresses addiction and mental health conditions equally.
“It has come to my attention that there are at least 33 staff across all the Trusts who have trained and qualified in this field, yet there is still no dedicated service in place.
“This is having a real impact on individuals and families across the north.
“I have lost count of the number of people I have met who feel like they have to go through multiple doors to access support.
“I have already established that there is no legal barrier to this service and the recent consultation on substance misuse fails to give a commitment to establish a dedicated service.
“It’s welcome that the Department of Health’s intend to host two online consultations sessions and these need to be more widely publicised.
“I will continue to push for a dual diagnosis to ensure people right across the north can access the support that they need.”
Sinn Féin spokesperson on Housing, Eoin Ó Broin TD, has called on the government to introduce a latent defects redress scheme in 2021.
Speaking ahead of Housing Committee hearings on the issue tomorrow morning, Teachta Ó Broin said:
“Tomorrow morning at the Housing Committee we will hear from the Construction Defects Alliance who are campaigning for the implementation of the cross-party recommendations of the 2017 'Safe as Houses?' report.
“The Minister for Housing has committed to establishing a working group on the issue, but my concern is that this group will take too long to come back with recommendations.
“It is my view that it should come back with a series of recommendations for the Minister for Housing and the Housing Committee by the first quarter of 2021.
“Homeowners have waited long enough for action to be taken.
“The Construction Defects Alliance estimates that there may be as many as 92,000 Celtic Tiger apartments affected by latent defects.
“Unfortunately, many struggling homeowners, who through no fault of their own, bought defective homes during the Celtic Tiger and don’t have the money to pay for defects.
“All five recommendations of section four of the 'Safe as Houses?' report must be implemented by government.
“A latent defects redress scheme must be established to help homeowners pay for remediation work on their homes.
“This scheme will also include an information and advice service, mediation services and if necessary legally binding adjudications on cases will be made.
“Where defects are uncovered, and original developer is still trading they should pay for the remediation works.
“However, in cases where the developer is no longer trading, the scheme will administer a compensation fund for homeowners that will be paid for by a levy on the construction industry to be matched by the government.
“A wholescale audit of homes built during the Celtic Tiger period should also be conducted in order to assess the scale of the problem.
“Too many homeowners have been left for too long struggling with the financial burden due to a legacy of bad building. The State cannot abdicate responsibility given the failure of the building control regulatory system under their watch.”
Sinn Féin MLA Philip McGuigan has called on Minister for Infrastructure Nichola Mallon to introduce active travel legislation.
The North Antrim MLA said:
“There is wide recognition and countless pieces of research which document the benefits of active travel.
“Increasing cycling and walking can help achieve sustainability in our transport, protect the environment and improve the physical and mental health of our citizens.
“However, in order to maximise the full potential of active travel it is crucial that modern and world-class infrastructure is put in place.
“The introduction of active travel legislation in the North can help place walking and cycling at the heart of transport strategy moving forward.
“This could include requiring the provision for cycling and walking infrastructure in new road schemes and when redeveloping current ones.
"There is some great examples of Active Travel Legislation internationally, with countries such as Wales having an Active Travel Act that requires the mapping of all present and potential future active travel infrastructure across the country.
"Active Travel legislation could help put active travel centre stage in the north and Sinn Féin will continue to press for the need for this transformative legislation."
Michelle O'Neill said:
"Tomorrow afternoon the Finucane Family will meet British Secretary of State Brandon Lewis to hear how the British government will respond to the Supreme Court ruling that previous investigations into the murder of human rights lawyer Patrick Finucane, were not effective and did not fulfil international human rights standards.
"Core to his decision is a family who for 30 years have refused to give up and who have refused to be silenced.
"My thoughts are with the entire Finucane family on what will be another defining day in their campaign.
"The Finucane Family have for 30 years spoken truth to power in their campaign for truth, justice and acknowledgement. They have stood firm, challenged and overcome every obstructive hurdle the British government put before them. They have been disappointed and let down before, but they never gave up.
"Tomorrow is their day of reckoning. The British government’s approach of delay and denial has literally run out of road.
"In a week when four parties in the North, the Irish Government and leading members of the US Congress have called for a public inquiry, the British Secretary of State Brandon Lewis must now do the right thing and direct a public inquiry into the death of Patrick Finucane. Of that, there can be no doubt.
"It is a matter of huge public interest that there is full and maximum disclosure around questions about who ordered the killing, about who knew what, and when?
"Those involved must be held accountable. Until now there has been virtual impunity for the British state agencies and actors involved in the killing.
"Any attempt by the British government to ignore the family, political and wider public demands for a public inquiry will have profound and fundamental implications for confidence in the rule of law, the administration of justice and the wider approach to legacy.
"Now is time for the British government, and the British Secretary of State Brandon Lewis, to finally listen to the Finucane family and call a public inquiry as a matter of public interest.
"There can be no further delay.”
Sinn Féin spokesperson on Foreign Affairs John Brady TD today expressed solidarity with the people of Palestine.
Teachta Brady said:
“In 1977, the General Assembly of the UN called for the annual observance of November 29th as the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People.
"Today offers an opportunity for the international community, including Ireland, to honour the hopes and aspirations for peace and dignity of the Palestinian people, through a show of solidarity.
"The Palestinian people continue to live under daily oppression by the Israeli authorities.
"The illegal annexation of the West Bank by the Israeli government is ongoing as we speak. In the final weeks of the Trump presidency, the Israeli authorities are ramping up their ongoing attempts at annexation while they still have the support of the US.
"Palestinian families are being made homeless on a daily basis. Just this week, we have witnessed Palestinian families in the al-Burj and al-Maita areas of the Jordan Valley, being forced out of their homes in order to make way for Israeli military training operations in the area.
"As communities throughout the world attempt to cope with a global pandemic, the Israeli government compound the challenges faced by Palestinians through daily acts of aggression.
"Already this year, the Israeli’s have destroyed more Palestinian homes than at any time since 2016.
"Earlier this month, on a single day, 41 children had their homes destroyed by the Israeli security forces.
"Demolition is not confined to residential homes. Humanitarian infrastructure, including farming equipment has also been destroyed. Much of this equipment was funded by EU states, including Ireland.
"For all intents and purposes, the Israeli government is committed to making it impossible for the Palestinian people to maintain a viable homeland.
"Fifty-two Palestinian schools, many co-funded by the EU, are under threat of demolition.
“I call upon the Irish government to use this occasion to honour the wishes of the elected members of the Dáil who voted to recognise the state of Palestine, by formally doing so now on behalf of the Irish people."
MacManus accuses Commission of empty rhetoric on Palestine
Sinn Féin MEP Chris MacManus has accused the European Commission of empty rhetoric when it comes to Palestine. MacManus’s comments were regarding the European Commission’s response to a parliamentary question he submitted. The Midlands Northwest MEP said:
“I wrote to the European Commission requesting clarity on the sanctions they intended to impose against Israel for its breach of the Geneva Convention. Frequently, Israel blocks the entry of fuel to Gaza, rendering its power plant useless. This runs contrary to the Geneva Convention; which prohibits Israel to render useless objects indispensable to the survival of the civilian population.”
“In the response to my question, the Commission would only say they were monitoring the situation regarding fuel delivery. Monitoring a situation does zero to aid the population living in appalling conditions in Gaza.”
“The Commission did admit a fundamental change in the political, security and economic situation of Gaza, including the end of the closure and a full opening of the crossing points, is required. However, they deliberately neglected to mention who is response for this.”
“These kinds of linguistic gymnastics, to avoid criticising Israel, are characteristic of the EU’s approach. It prefers to pat itself on the back for delivering some aid to the Palestinian athority, instead of dealing with the root of the problem. By doing so, it allows Israel to distance itself from what is its effective occupation under international law. Israel controls the entry of persons, exit of persons, airspace and delivery of goods to Gaza.”
Speaking today on the 29 November, the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, MacManus said, “The Palestinian People continue to live under daily oppression by the Israeli authorities. Already this year, the Israeli’s have destroyed more Palestinian homes than at any time since 2016.”
“Earlier this month, on a single day, forty-one children had their homes destroyed by the Israeli security forces.”
“Demolition is not confined to residential homes. Humanitarian infrastructure, including farming equipment has also been destroyed. Much of this equipment had been funded by EU member states, including Ireland.”
“For all intents and purposes the Israeli government is committed to making it impossible for the Palestinian People to maintain a viable homeland. Currently there are fifty-two Palestinian schools, many co-funded by the EU, that are under threat of demolition.”
MacManus concluded by calling on the commission to take action, “The European Commission must take effective measures to challenge Israel’s stranglehold on the daily lives of the civilian population in Gaza.” ENDS
---------- Additional Notes ---------------
Question for written answer E-005122/2020/rev.1
to the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy
Rule 138
Chris MacManus (GUE/NGL)
Subject: Israel’s actions in contravention of the Geneva Convention
In recent weeks Israel has intensified its blockade of Gaza, banning the entry of fuel to Gaza’s sole power plant. According to Article 54 of the Geneva Convention, it is prohibited for Israel ‘...to attack, destroy, remove or render useless objects indispensable to the survival of the civilian population...’.
By prohibiting fuel deliveries, Israel has rendered Gaza’s power plant useless, and it has done so during a worsening public health crisis in Gaza’s hospitals. What sanctions does Vice-President / High Representative Borrell propose against Israel for its deplorable actions?
EN
E-005122/2020
Answer given by High Representative/Vice-President Borrell
on behalf of the European Commission
(23.11.2020)
Addressing the humanitarian and socioeconomic situation in the Gaza Strip is an immediate priority for the European Union (EU). The Office of the European Union Representative (West Bank and Gaza Strip, UNRWA[1]) and the EU delegation to the State of Israel both have followed very closely the situation of electricity delivery and fuel supply in Gaza. The fuel imports in Gaza have fully resumed since end of August 2020.
The EU continues to call for a fundamental change in the political, security and economic situation of Gaza, including the end of the closure and a full opening of the crossing points.
The EU continues its high-level political and diplomatic engagement with key stakeholders, including Israel, to ensure that the Palestinian Authority receives the necessary support to overcome the crisis.
In parallel, and in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, the EU has prepared a series of measures aimed at strengthening healthcare and at alleviating the socioeconomic consequences of the pandemic in the occupied Palestinian territory through a major assistance. As such, European Development partners (TEAM EUROPE) announced a package of EUR 373 million in May 2020 in response to COVID-19 in Palestine[2]. Part of this overall support will be used to address critical needs in Gaza.
[1] UNRWA: TheUnited Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East.
[2] https://www.euneighbours.eu/en/south/stay-informed/news/team-europe-stands-palestine-consolidated-european-response-around-eu373
Sinn Féin MLA Martina Anderson has condemned a pipe bomb attack in the Waterside area of Derry.
The Foyle MLA said:
“This pipe bomb attack, which destroyed a van in the Knockwellan Park area of the Waterside, was wrong and must be condemned.
“Thankfully no one was injured in this incident but anyone passing by in the vicinity of this van could have been seriously injured.
“Those behind this attack have nothing to offer the community and need to end these reckless actions immediately.
“This is the latest in a series of pipe bomb attacks in the Waterside area with five this year and the PSNI needs to step up its effort to bring these criminal gangs to book.
“I would encourage anyone with information on what happened to bring it forward to the PSNI.”
Sinn Féin President Mary Lou McDonald TD, on the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, has called on the Irish government to show solidarity with the Palestinian people by formally recognising the state of Palestine.
Teachta McDonald said:
"International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People gives the international community, including Ireland, an opportunity to honour the hopes and aspirations for peace and dignity of the Palestinian people.
"The Palestinian people continue to live under daily oppression and the Israeli authorities are ramping up their ongoing attempts at annexation of vast swaths of the West Bank.
"Palestinian families are being made homeless daily. Just this week we have witnessed Palestinian families in the al-Burj and al-Maita areas of the Jordan Valley being forced out of their homes in order to make way for Israeli military training operations in the area.
"As communities throughout the world attempt to cope with a global pandemic, the Israeli government continues to compound the challenges faced by Palestinians through daily acts of aggression.
"Already this year, Israel authorities have destroyed more Palestinian homes than at any time since 2016.
"Earlier this month, on a single day, 41 children had their homes destroyed by the Israeli security forces.
"Demolition is not confined to residential homes. Humanitarian infrastructure, including farming equipment, has also been destroyed. Much of this equipment was funded by EU states, including Ireland.
"For all intents and purposes, the Israeli government is committed to making it impossible for the Palestinian people to maintain a viable homeland.
"I am, once again, calling on the Irish government to use this occasion to honour the wishes of the elected members of the Oireachtas who have voted to recognise the State of Palestine and formally doing so on behalf of the Irish people.
"They should also end their opposition to the Occupied Territories Bill and ensure it is brought back before the Oireachtas as soon as possible."
Sinn Féin TD for Kerry Pa Daly has expressed his sympathies following the tragic death of a man who died as a result of a building he was working on collapsing in Ashe Street, Tralee, this morning.
Teachta Daly:
"The death of this man following the partial collapse of a building he was working on has caused great shock and sadness in the local community.
"My thoughts and sympathies are with his family, friends and co-workers at this extraordinarily sad and difficult time.
"Five co-workers were injured in the same incident, and I want to wish them a full and speedy recovery.
"This incident is being investigated by the Health and Safety Authority."
Speaking on the centenary anniversary of the Kilmichael Ambush, Sinn Féin President Mary Lou McDonald TD described the event as a pivotal moment in Ireland's fight for independence.
Teachta McDonald said "the courageous actions of Tom Barry and the men of his flying column turned the tide of the Tan War.”
The Sinn Féin President continued:
"Until Kilmichael there was a sense of invincibility around the forces of the Crown in Ireland. The Rising of 1916 had been suppressed - its leaders executed, and volunteers imprisoned. The British occupied the country. The great and the good told the people there was no other way.
"But the IRA volunteers who gathered at Kilmichael were not deterred by any of that. They were not motivated by personal gain. They were not in awe of the great and the good. They were motivated purely by the noble cause of a free and equal Ireland as envisaged by the Proclamation of Easter Week. They set out in defence of the Republic.
"Most of the Volunteers present had little or no experience of guerrilla warfare and no formal military training. By contrast, the British forces were professionally armed and trained. As Tom Barry himself said the success of the ambush was down to the support the IRA received from the women of Cumann na mBan and particularly from “the poor people of West Cork.
"The IRA was the army of the people. The people stood by the flying columns as they took on the might of the British Empire. It was because of this support from the local community that the IRA was able to overcome enormous adversity at Kimicheal and in other encounters across Ireland. These successes galvanized the Republican cause and gave people belief that independence was possible despite the odds.
"Three IRA volunteers were killed at Kilmichael. Jim O’Sullivan, Michael McCarthy, and Pat Deasy laid down their lives for Irish freedom. It is important that we not only honour their memory but that we honour it in the right way. By working for a united Ireland and for the realisation of a real republic.
"One hundred years later, we remember the sacrifices of those volunteers, but we live by their principles and we recommit ourselves to building the Ireland they fought to achieve. That is the very best tribute we could pay to the boys of Kilmichael who changed the course of history. Their selfless example continues to inspire us today as we seek positive, progressive change for our people and for our country.”
Sinn Féin MLA Emma Rogan has called on UUP Councillor Alan Lewis to immediately clarify his comments and to condemn those responsible for vandalising bilingual signage at Drumcraw Crossroads.
The South Down MLA said:
“As opposed to condemning those responsible for vandalising bilingual signage at Drumcraw Crossroads, we have the bizarre situation wherein UUP Councillor Alan Lewis appears to be blaming the signs for being there.
“Councillor Lewis has said that he has pointed out the signs are ‘divisive’ and that they ‘will be targeted’.
“As a public representative, Councillor Lewis should be standing up against vandals and these petty hate crimes. He needs to clarify his comments on this issue.
“The Irish language is not divisive, it is an inclusive language that is thriving in South Down and increasingly being enjoyed by all members of our society from across the community.
“Those involved in these hate crimes will not succeed in their narrow minded and regressive agenda.”
Sinn Féin spokesperson on Health David Cullinane TD has called on the Minister for Health to recognise the key role that specialists in public health medicine have played in tackling the pandemic.
Teachta Cullinane said:
“Public health specialists have played a key role in tackling the pandemic.
“They have worked tirelessly and quietly on the frontline battling outbreaks across the state, and they are at the centre of our outbreak management system.
“Public health departments have been understaffed and under-resourced for decades at this point.
“The important role of public health medicine in maintaining a healthy Ireland had been forgotten until the pandemic struck.
“When Covid-19 reached our shores, public health departments - despite the challenges from a lack of resources - tackled it head on.
“The Minister must recognise the key role they have paid and ensure that not only are consultant posts made available for the profession - as elsewhere - but also ensure that existing qualified candidates are on the appropriate payscale.
“They already perform the job, and it would be unforgivable if frontline workers had to go on strike to get the contracts they should have had all along.
“If Minister Donnelly is committed to fully staffing public health departments and filling vacancies, he must expedite this process and avoid an industrial dispute.”
Sinn Féin spokespeople for Workers Rights Jemma Dolan MLA and Louise O’Reilly TD have reiterated Sinn Féin’s support for the Make Amazon Pay Campaign.
This global campaign is being led by Trade Unionists, Environmentalists and progressives and calls on legislators throughout the World to oppose the way in which Amazon’s global expansion has eroded workers’ rights and undermined environmental standards. It also calls time on Amazon continued tax evasion across the world.
They said:
“Sinn Féin supports this campaign to make Amazon Pay.
“While many businesses and workers have struggled throughout this pandemic, this multinational has grown its extortionate profits to levels that are unprecedented and unjustified.
“Within the last quarter alone Amazon’s global revenues have jumped to €80.6 billion, while in the 26 counties the company’s pre-tax profits have doubled over the last two years to €39.7 million.
“Despite these record increases Amazon has treated its workers with complete contempt. Throughout the pandemic workers had been ordered to work in unsafe conditions.
“The company has also trampled on collective bargaining rights and has been known to lay off workers attempting to unionise, while delivery drivers have been paid less than the minimum wages and have been exploited through bogus self-employment.
“In light of these abuses Sinn Féin has signed the #MakeAmazonPay petition and we would encourage other representatives from across the world to show solidarity and to also sign the pledge here: https://bit.ly/37hFyTM.”
MacManus votes to protect Irish Lobster Fishers
Sinn Féin MEP Chris MacManus has voted against a proposal on the elimination of customs duties on certain products, citing the negative implications the deal would have on Irish lobster fishers.
Speaking from Sligo MacManus said:
“The vote that took place in the European Parliament concerned a US-EU deal that would see the elimination of tariffs for certain products, including an elimination of tariffs on US lobster being imported into the EU.”
The trade deal negotiations which were overseen by Fine Gael’s Phil Hogan have been widely criticised by people from Irish fishing and coastal communities.
“Unfortunately, I think the former commissioner has sold out the people from these communities. It would seem that the profit margins of French Multinationals is more important than the basic survival of a family from Galway or Donegal.” MacManus continued, “When this deal was announced, I raised my concerns that the elimination of tariffs will lead to low-priced American lobster flooding the EU market, which could have a detrimental effect on our fishing, coastal and island communities.”
The Midlands Northwest MEP said times were hard enough on fishing communities without adding to their woes. “This is already a hugely damaging time for Ireland’s fishing communities. Covid-19 and an impending Brexit has left the sector struggling. Tariff-free imports of US lobster will now add to that.
MacManus concluded by calling for proper supports, “It is now incumbent on the Irish government and European Commission to ensure that our coastal and fishing communities are compensated for any lost revenue this deal incurs.” ENDS
Sinn Fein TD for Cork North Central Thomas Gould has called on the Minister for Housing to issue an urgent statement outlining his plan to reform the Vacant Site Levy.
Deputy Gould’s comments come after figures published by the Parliamentary Budget Office show that only four local authorities reported collecting revenue under the levy in 2020.
Teachta Gould said:
“The Vacant Site Levy (VSL) was brought in to encourage landowners to utilise their empty land and build houses. It would appear that it is failing miserably in this attempt. As of the end of 2019, only 17 of 31 local authorities had active vacant site registers.
“The VSL is determined at 7% of the market value of a site. Only four local authorities reported collecting revenue under the levy in 2020 and again, only four reported the same in 2019. The levies collected were nowhere near the site value. Cork City Council have collected just under €21,875 to date in 2020, with vacant sites of an estimated market value of €27 million - this represents only 0.08% of their value.
“Thirteen local authorities responded with an estimated number of houses that could be built on their vacant sites. They estimated that 14,995 houses could be built. Given that eighteen local authorities didn’t respond, this is a shocking figure. At the end of 2019, there were 501 people on the social housing waiting list in Sligo, for example. The local authority estimated that 1,487 houses could be built on vacant sites in the county. Building on even one third of these sites could meet Sligo’s social housing need.
“Local authorities have raised many concerns about the Vacant Site Levy including confusion in determining vacancy. What is clear is that this is not working and that something needs to be urgently done to ensure that sites are not left sitting idle while people wait for homes.
“The Minister for Housing needs to respond to this report and publish a strategy to ensure that we see homes for workers and families built on vacant sites.”
Sinn Féin spokesperson on Housing Eoin Ó Broin TD has voiced his concern at the rise in the number of adults and children living in emergency accommodation in October.
According to the latest figures from the Department of Housing, 8,737 adults and children were accessing homeless services in October 2020, an increase of 81 on September.
Teachta Ó Broin said:
“The latest figures published by the Department of Housing this evening indicate that 6,905 adults, 2,642 children and 1,117 families were living in emergency accommodation in October.
“Compared to the previous month, this marks an increase of 59 children and 22 adults.
“The figures had begun to dip slightly in previous months due to the Covid-19 ban on evictions during the summer.
“Unfortunately, this dip didn’t continue through October.
“8,737 adults and children do not have a secure roof over their heads. Behind these numbers are real people who are being let down by our housing system.
“The government must revisit its opposition to the Focus Ireland amendment which would prevent buy-to-let landlords from evicting families when they want to sell their property.
“We must also see a greater emphasis on homeless prevention services, on keeping families in their homes, and on working with local authorities to develop action plans before these families have nowhere else to turn but to homeless services.
“Government must, given the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, reinstate the ban on the issuing of notices to quit, rent increases and evictions until at least March 2021."
