I want to thank my colleague, Teachta Eoin Ó Broin, for his work on this legislation. It is very much required simply because of the length of time that families are left on social housing waiting lists. In my area, it is 14 years. That is hard to believe, is it not? They are left for so long that they are forced to move to counties and places outside of their original area. What happens then is that their kids join clubs and they join schools. It is more acute when we are looking at families who have children with special needs because they access services and they become embedded in the community. When it is time for them to go back to their original area, they cannot afford to leave all of those supports. It is very cruel that they are forced to make a choice about losing those years because they are simply left waiting. I want to briefly mention a woman in my area. I have mentioned this case many times. She moved from the city centre to north county Dublin. She has been advised by the Garda to remain where she is for her own safety. Her ex nearly killed her. He is now out of prison and living in the area where she was originally on the housing list. Some 12 years later, she is faced with an impossible choice. She should not have to make that impossible choice. She should not have to choose between her own safety and losing those years. That is why she requires a social housing passport, and why a social housing passport is essential.

Sentiment score: 0.01