Sinn Féin TD for Dublin West Paul Donnelly has criticised local government TDs for their “shameful” decision to end the eviction ban.
Deputy Donnelly was speaking after the Government decided to let the ban expire, which had been protecting people from ‘no fault’ evictions.
“The government’s decision to end the eviction ban is shameful and will plunge people into homelessness in Dublin West,” he said.
“The housing crisis is devastating lives across Dublin West as people cannot afford sky high rents or find suitable accommodation because of this government’s failure to get to grips with the crisis.
“Government TDs Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, Minister Jack Chambers and Roderic O Gorman must come forward and explain to people in Dublin West why they have backed ending the eviction ban. They need to be upfront with people about this shocking decision.
“From April, people across Dublin West will face the prospect of losing their home because of this disgraceful decision.
“This includes single people, couples, parents with children and pensioners who have been badly let down by this government and deserve better.
“The government had a choice. When the emergency ban on evictions was introduced last October, Sinn Féin urged the government that it wasn’t a solution but a temporary opportunity for the breathing space in order to take emergency action needed.
“We urged them to expand the tenant in situ scheme, to extend it to affordable cost rental, to use emergency planning and procurement powers, to target vacant and derelict properties and new building technologies, to increase and accelerate the delivery of social and affordable homes.”
Deputy Donnelly said the Government have “ignored” proposed solutions.
“It is clear that the housing market in Dublin West is totally unfit for purpose and ordinary people are left to pay the price,” he said.
“The housing crisis is causing misery for so many people in Dublin West.
“These government TDs must explain why they are continuing to ignore the solutions and fail to tackle the housing crisis.”