Latest homeless figures criticised by opposition

The latest homeless figures have been roundly criticised by charities and members of the opposition.

Dublin Bay North TD Cian O’Callaghan says the “dysfunctional” rental market is contributing to the record homeless levels in Ireland.

The latest figures from the Department of Housing show that 12,441 people were living in homeless emergency accommodation, with 3,699 of those being children.

Deputy O’Callaghan said “these are not just numbers – each person is a daughter, son, sister, brother, mother or father going through a deeply distressing ordeal.”

“It beggars belief that this Government can claim they have turned the corner on housing when the number of children growing up homeless rises every month,” with the Social Democrats noting that child homelessness has risen by 39% since the current Government took office in 2020.

Labour has also taken the Government to task over the figures, with party leader and Dublin Bay South TD Ivana Bacik saying “despite plenty of handwringing and press conferences, the stark reality is people are being failed by the State.”

“This time last year in the May 2022 report, 7,297 people were living in homelessness. Having one person living in homelessness is one too many, but to see a 70% increase year-on-year under this administration just highlights the lack of focus on the crisis.”

“Hope is not a strategy, particularly when we consider the depth of the homelessness crisis,” she added.

Figures released earlier this week showed that 25% of Simon Community emergency beds in Dublin were occupied by people in employment.

Speaking after the eviction ban was lifted in March, An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said “at best, an eviction ban reduces homelessness in the short-term but it probably doesn’t even do that.”

“What it does do is make it worse in the medium-term; when you lift the ban, you’ve a glut of eviction notices that then get affected and then in the long-term it makes it even worse again.”

The figures have been criticised by Focus Ireland, with Director of Advocacy Mike Allen saying “as the eviction ban ended, we anticipated a surge in homelessness, and these figures regrettably confirm our concerns.”

“It is terrible to see a 30% rise in family homelessness since this time last year. It feels as if the shocking monthly increases in homelessness have stunned the country and left us unable to take action. But this is not inevitable and perhaps we should start by looking at what we can do for the children who are homeless with their families.’ 

“The government also needs to introduce legislation that requires local authorities to prioritise the best interests of the child in cases of homelessness. It is essential that the interests of the child are considered a matter of urgency when families seek assistance, ensuring their well-being and stability.”