Doolan calls on Minister for Housing to “wake up” and work with DCC

“This scheme was an effective homeless prevention tool; last year alone, it saved 350 households from homelessness in Dublin.”

He accused Minister for Housing James Browne of “strangling” the scheme and “making it unworkable.”

“In a callous move, he has slashed the funding by €22 million and imposed criteria that will make hundreds of people homeless this year.”

15,378 people availed of homeless services across Ireland in February, up from the previous all-time record of 15,286.

Of that figure, 10,948 are in Dublin.

The figure does not include “invisible homelessness”, such as couch surfing or people sleeping in cars.

Ever since the eviction ban was lifted in early 2023, the homeless figures have skyrocketed.

In the month before the eviction ban was lifted, January 2023, there were 11,754 people in homeless services in Ireland.

The lifting of the eviction ban is in line with Fianna Fáil’s new doctrine on housing to have less state supports available in housing and let market forces play  a larger role.

“His mean hearted cuts will ensure that Dublin City Council runs out of money and will no longer be in a position to buy properties under the scheme; this is unacceptable, and we will not accept it.”

Doolan noted that the Sinn Féin motion received support from Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael councillors, saying that was “hugely significant.”

“Minister Browne needs to wake up to the homeless crisis and work with us and not against us. He must immediately reinstate the Tenant In Situ scheme.”