In yet another indictment of this failed Government, there has been a marked increase in the number of people seeking assistance from the Simon Communities.
Figures released by the charity show that numbers have increased by 20% in recent times, and up to 7,500 people are currently under the charity’s auspices.
Furthermore, the charity says that the number of people seeking emergency accommodation have risen to over 5,000. That figure is nearly double what it was at this time last year.
Spokesperson Niamh Randall has said that: “We need some short-term measures while we await housing supply to come on board.
“We absolutely need an increase in rent supplements or HAP limits, people cannot meet the market rent out there.”
“But we also need to look at the social housing strategy, it is not delivering at the rate required so we need to look at enhancing it,
“We need to look at removing any of the blockages that are preventing it from being implemented, we need to see local authorities building homes and we need to look at voids and empty properties around the country.”