Numbers of people in emergency accommodation remain stubbornly high says local TD

Commenting on figures released today by the Department of Housing, Social Democrats TD Cian O’Callaghan has called for immediate action to reduce the numbers of people becoming homeless.

Deputy O’Callaghan, who is the party’s Housing spokesperson, said:

“The figures released today by the Department of Housing show that at the end of February there were 8,238 people who lost their home living in emergency accommodation.

“This includes 2,264 children.

“The ban on evictions in the first half of 2020 was the most successful intervention of any Government in recent years to reduce the numbers of people becoming homeless.

“However, the removal and unwinding of many Covid-19 protections for renters since then has resulted in a continued flow of families and individuals losing their homes and being evicted into homelessness.

“It is very clear what action needs to be taken to reduce the numbers of people becoming homeless.

“The Minister for Housing should act swiftly to bring protections for renters in Ireland in line with most other European countries – such a move would substantially reduce the numbers of people becoming homeless.”