TDs encourage Cork people to attend housing protest on Saturday

Cork TDs are encouraging members of the public to attend a protest on housing next month following the publication of the latest homelessness figures.

The figures, published on Friday, revealed that the number of people who are homeless in Cork rose by 24% over the past year, with a record 16,353 adults and more than 5,100 children homeless nationwide at the end of August.

Sinn Féin Cork South Central TD, Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire, said the figures published by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage represented “another day of shame for the government”.

“New records are being broken every month,” said Mr Ó Laoghaire.

“The real number might even be bigger because these figures don’t even include the people who are homeless in different ways.

“The numbers have significantly increased here in Cork [and] it does not have to be this way.

“The policies that the government are pursuing are bringing us in the wrong direction,” he added. “It is simply not good enough, this is a disgrace — it is a stain on our society.

“It is vitally important that the people of Cork make a statement and I urge everyone to come out to the [Raise the Roof] rally next Saturday.”

Sinn Féin Cork North Central TD, Thomas Gould, said that the figures are “horrendous”.

“I have people coming to me every week who are at risk of becoming homeless.

“How many children must become homeless before they [the government] admit they’re wrong and accept that their policy doesn’t work.

“The figures speak for themselves, horrendous is the only way to describe it,” he added.

“I encourage everyone to come to the Raise the Roof rally on housing — seeing these figures shows the need to get people out on the streets more than ever.”

The Raise the Roof rally will be held on the Grand Parade on October 4 from 2.30pm.