Dublin: The Raise the Roof housing campaign group’s rally to solve the problems faced by the homeless turned Dublin into a sea of popular protest. Tens of thousands of people gathered at the rally to demand government action in the housing crisis.
The protest also took to the streets in light of the record number of homeless people in the country. More than 11,000 people sought emergency accommodation last month. Last month, 7,917 adults and 1,601 families, including 3,480 children, sought emergency shelter.
The rally was attended by representatives from trade unions, housing and homeless agencies, women’s groups, political parties, elders’ groups, children, community organisations, student unions, traveller groups, academics, and others from all walks of life.
The rally began in Parnell Square and ended near Government Billings in Merrion Square. Several union leaders and campaign group representatives spoke at the rally.
The rally demanded that the government provide affordable housing so that families can live with dignity. Rents for housing should be reasonable. The rally also called for a new housing plan that includes eviction protection, tenant security, and high-quality public housing.
Sinn Féin says people are in a housing emergency.
Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald, who attended the rally with party members, said it sends a message to the government that people are in a housing crisis. She accused the government of treating the issue negatively. Sinn Féin TD Martin Kenny said curbs on rent rises in pressure zones were not working.
There is no recruitment in the health sector.
Even in the country’s health sector, Phil Ni Sheaghdha of the INMO said recruitment was not taking place due to the housing crisis. Staff are being laid off in Dublin, Cork, Galway, Limerick, and the Midlands due to a lack of rental accommodation. realised the importance of health workers. In most countries, employers provide subsidised housing for healthcare workers, but this is not the case in this country.
Young people are leaving the country.
According to John Boyle of the Irish National Teachers’ Organization, thousands of young people are fleeing the country due to homelessness. There are thousands of primary and post-primary jobs to be filled. He pointed out that the housing crisis has also affected the education sector.
According to MacDara Doyle, ICTU Campaigns Officer, people who live and work here require safe and affordable housing. SIPTU’s Brendan Carr said the rising homelessness was a clear indication that the government’s housing programme was ineffective. He said that public houses should be built on government land.
Public and affordable housing should be made universal.
People Before Profit leader Richard Boyd-Barrett urged the government to build universal, public, and affordable housing and to prohibit tenant evictions. Brid Smith, TD for People Before Profit, stated that even people in their 30s and 40s are living with their parents because they cannot afford to buy or rent a home.
At the rally, SNA’s Eileen Currans, Blanchardstown teacher Kate Rallahan, Mairin Shiels Fanning, a retiree from Co. Meath, UCD student Aisling from the Upper School, and many others spoke about the plight of the homeless.
Government representatives.
Green Party TD Steven Matthews said peaceful protests would lead to action. The TD defended the government’s housing plans. Darragh O’Brien, Minister for Housing, said the figures were concerning and that social housing measures needed to be doubled.
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