There are 60,000 households, many of them families with children, in receipt of the housing assistance payment, HAP. They are classed as having their housing needs met but I want to give the Tánaiste a case of one person in my constituency. Last night, I met a father with two young children who told me that he was sick with worry about being able to afford the weekly shop. He got to the Lidl counter and his debit card was declined. He had to walk away and explain to his kids why they had to leave the week's groceries behind. He lives in a private rental property that is riddled with mould and damp but he cannot complain for fear the landlord will evict him. Where would he go? He receives the HAP and now faces rent increases from Dublin City Council that will push him over the edge. He told me his story last night with incredible dignity but in the end, he broke down and cried. He feels hopeless but he is doing is best to keep going for his kids and his community. The social contract is broken for this father and for thousands of families in Finglas, Ballymun and across this country who cannot afford the rent hikes from private landlords or, now, from city councils, too. They face eviction. They live with mould and damp, which is damaging their and their kids' health. What is the Government going to do to support these households to ensure that they are not going to face eviction and that councils have enough funding to deliver maintenance so that tenants are not living with mould and damp?

Sentiment score: -0.08