Ward calls on government TDs to support extension of eviction ban

Sinn Féin TD Mark Ward says he is calling on fellow Dublin Mid-West TD Emer Higgins to support Sinn Féin’s motion to extend the ban on evictions next week.

Deputy Ward also said that with emergency accommodation across the state at breaking point, most of the 3000 households and individuals facing eviction in April will have nowhere to go.

The motion is set to be debated in the Dáil next Tuesday and be voted on the following evening.

“I am calling on Deputy Emer Higgins to indicate whether she will support Sinn Féin’s call to extend the eviction ban,” Deputy Ward said.

“Next month 1839 eviction notices will fall due in county Dublin.

“These individuals and working families now face being made homeless in April, as a direct result of the government’s decision to end the eviction ban.

“Where are they supposed to live? The reality is most have nowhere to go.

“It is blatantly clear that the government has no plan to deal with the 3000 eviction notices across the state that the Residential Tenancies Board tell us will fall due in April, or the thousands more that will fall due in the coming months.

“The reality is there are working families, single people and pensioners who will have nowhere to go.

“It is unacceptable that we have heard nothing from the Taoiseach, Tánaiste or Minister for Housing about what support those people will receive in the coming months.

“It is even worse if government TDs in Dublin are willing to stand over that.

“That is why they must support our motion to extend the ban on evictions.

“They can work with us to urge the government to see sense and extend the ban on evictions, and put in place an ambitious series of emergency measures in the months ahead to reduce the number of people becoming homeless and to increase and accelerate the supply of social and affordable homes.”