Immediate ban on winter evictions must be introduced, says TD Donnelly

The Government must introduce a complete ban on evictions for the winter months, a Sinn Fein TD says.

Deputy Paul Donnelly says the ban must be brought in “urgently” and “without delay.”

“I am concerned by some reports suggesting that a ban, if introduced, would not take effect until December,” the Dublin West TD said.

“There is a severe housing crisis here in Dublin West.

“Any delay in the introduction of the eviction ban will result in more adults and children being forced into homelessness in Dublin West.

“However, a temporary ban on evictions will not solve the core problem, which is the government’s failure to deliver an adequate supply of social and genuinely affordable homes.

“Minister O’Brien must accompany any ban on evictions with a package of measures to accelerate and increase the delivery of public housing to meet social and affordable housing need in Dublin West.”

Deputy Donnelly says the introduction of modular housing, and the expediting of bringing vacant housing units back into stock should be among the methods used to alleviate the current housing crisis.

“It is clear that the government’s approach to the housing crisis to date has failed,” he says.

“The government must respond with greater urgency if a winter catastrophe is to be averted.

“Every day, people in [county] are paying the price of the government’s failure to tackle the housing crisis and it isn’t good enough.

“Too many people here are stuck paying sky-high rents or in cramped accommodation while they are priced out of ever owning their own home.”