A Donegal volunteer on the frontline of the housing crisis features in an investigative TG4 programme this evening.
Donnchadh Ó Fearraigh from Machaire Rabhartaigh in Donegal features in the Iniúchadh TG4 Gan Dídean programme. Donnchadh is a volunteer with The Light House organisation in the capital. Located on Pearse Street, The Light House helps to feed the homeless community in Dublin.
The housing crisis in Ireland could last for at least another 10 years, according to a member of the Government coalition, Green Party T.D. Marc Ó Cathasaigh.
Speaking on the latest edition of the current affairs programme, which airs tonight at 9.30pm, Mr Ó Cathasaigh said: “This is a massive job and it can’t be done in a few months or within a year or two. To solve the problem completely we are talking long-term; I would say ten years, at least.”
Kevin Magee
Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien also speaking in the programme, said people will see a marked difference in the provision of new housing before the next general election, but declined to put a date on when the crisis will end. He said: “I am not able to put a date on it but I am hopeful, and I am sure before the next election, before 2025, that we will be able to show people that this government is doing the right thing. People across the country will be able to see new schemes in every county in Ireland.”
“Most people understand that housing matters and the housing crisis are difficult to fix. But when we look back on the last year, we made important progress.”
The hour-long programme presented by investigative journalist Kevin Magee features people living long-term in tents in a Dublin park, and tenants who have recently been given eviction notices.
A record number of people in the State are homeless with 11,988 people living in emergency accommodation
Speaking on Iniúchadh TG4 Gan Dídean, Minister O’Brien defended the Government’s decision not to support an extension to the ban that was lifted on April 1st.
Speaking in Irish, Mr O’ Brien said: “It was a difficult decision, but the right one. The eviction ban was in place during the winter. I said, when I brought the scheme before the Dáil, that it would give me space to build new houses and to bring housing that is not in use back into use. I did that. We are working hard to help the homeless. I have never taken the landlords’ side against the ordinary people of Ireland. Our minds were made up about that because it is the right thing to do for everyone and we can fix the housing issue through new houses and more supply around the country and we are doing that.”
Iniúchadh TG4 – Gan Dídean, Wednesday 17th May @ 9:30pm on TG4 or on the TG4 Player.
