I am deeply concerned by certain proposals in the national housing plan. Although it has been described by the Government as unprecedented in terms of investment, it comes at a time when homeless figures have hit a record high of 16,350 people. Within that number is a total of 5,145 children who are estimated to be living in emergency accommodation. The fact is we have been here before on a number of occasions, with plans to finally tackle the systemic barriers to the homeless and the lack of social and affordable housing. Nothing has changed. If anything, the situation has become increasingly desperate across all metrics. From what I can see, the Minister is saying the national housing plan is expected to place an emphasis on ending child and family homelessness, including the allocation of €100 million in 2026 to house families who are on the list the longest. That is a derisory figure in the grand scheme of things. Some €100 million may sound like a lot, but in reality, it would only get 400 houses at an average price of €250,000. I am also extremely concerned about the new housing laws coming in in March. I have been contacted by many small property owners who tell me they are leaving the housing market. That is going to put more pressure on. I ask for those housing guidelines to be reviewed quickly, or we are going to have a mass exodus of small property owners. They are too extreme. We need to have a balance and protect the small property owners The guidelines that are coming in in March need to be reviewed quickly or we are going to have a mass exodus of small property owners.

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